Brown Algae as Functional Food Source of Fucoxanthin: A Review

Abstract

Fucoxanthin is an algae-specific xanthophyll of aquatic carotenoid. It is prevalent in brown seaweed because it functions as a light-harvesting complex for algal photosynthesis and photoprotection. Its exceptional chemical structure exhibits numerous biological activities that benefit human health. Due to these valuable properties, fucoxanthin’s potential as a potent source for functional food, feed, and medicine is being explored extensively today. This article has thoroughly reviewed the availability and biosynthesis of fucoxanthin in the brown seaweed, as well as the mechanism behind it. We included the literature findings concerning the beneficial bioactivities of fucoxanthin such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, anticancer, and other potential activities. Last, an additional view on its potential as a functional food ingredient has been discussed to facilitate a broader application of fucoxanthin as a promising bioactive compound.

Intra-Species Variations of Bioactive Compounds of Two Dictyota Species from the Adriatic Sea: Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Dermatological, Dietary, and Neuroprotective Potential

“…Previously, the methanolic extract of D. dichotoma was tested for its acetylcholine esterase inhibitory effect, which was comparable to that of the F3 fraction in our study, and the results were 17-fold lower than ours [ 93 ]. Alghazwi et al [ 12 ] summarized the macroalgae-derived compounds that are targeting cholinesterase activity and, in our research, loliolide and fucoxanthin have been found in both tested samples, while α-linolenic acid was found only in D. dichotoma sample, as molecules with enzyme inhibitory effects [ 10 , 94 ]. Aly et al [ 95 ] reported the presence of α-linolenic acid and cystoseirol monoacetate, compounds with good binding affinities to the AChE enzyme [ 95 ], in the methanolic fraction of several Cystoseira species, while the same compounds were also determined in this research for the D. dichotoma F3 fraction.…”

“…Brown seaweeds also contain a wide variety of pigments, including fucoxanthin, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll c1, chlorophyll c2, β-carotene, and violaxanthin [ 9 ]. Fucoxanthin is a secondary metabolite produced in the chloroplast of brown macroalgae with great biological activities and protective properties for human health [ 10 ]. It has earned attention due to its promising effects in terms of anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities [ 11 ].…”

“…It has earned attention due to its promising effects in terms of anti-obesity, antidiabetic, and antioxidant activities [ 11 ]. In recent years, it has been extensively explored and used for functional food, feed, cosmetics, and medicine [ 10 ]. Additionally, different amounts of proteins, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and secondary metabolites make brown macroalgae great candidates for the functional food market and application in diverse industries [ 4 ].…”

Real time monitoring and evaluation of the inhibition effect of fucoxanthin against α-amylase activity by using QCM-A

“…And the fucoxanthin has two hydroxyl groups and three hydrogen-bond as well as long hydrocarbons conjugated double bonds. Previous researchers proposed that fucoxanthin, as an effective inhibitor of α-amylase or starch blockers, has the characteristics of degrade the activity of α-amylase and decrease the conversion rate of starch ( 11 , 55 , 56 ). This may be stably present in the binding pocket of α-amylase and hydrophobic interactions between fucoxanthin long hydrocarbons with conjugated double bonds and the residues on the α-amylase ( 57 ).…”

The Biochemistry and Effectiveness of Antioxidants in Food, Fruits, and Marine Algae

“…Fucoxanthin is a member of the xanthophyll class of carotenoids and is present at high concentrations in the brown algae Saccharina sp. [ 288 , 289 , 290 , 291 ], where it plays a key role in light harvesting and radiation protection [ 291 ].…”