The role of seaweed bioactives in the control of digestion: implications for obesity treatments

Abstract

Seaweeds are an underutilised nutritional resource that could not only compliment the current western diet but potentially bring additional health benefits over and above their nutritional value. There are four groups of seaweed algae; green algae (Chlorophyceae), red algae (Rhodophycae), blue-green algae (Cyanophyceae) and brown algae (Phaeophyceae). Seaweeds are rich in bioactive components including polysaccharides and polyphenols. Polysaccharides content, such as fucoidan, laminarin, as well as alginate is generally high in brown seaweeds which are also a source of polyphenols such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, phlorotannin, stilbenes and lignans. These components have been shown to reduce the activity of digestive enzymes, modulating enzymes such as α-amylase, α-glucosidase, pepsin and lipase. This review discusses the effect of several of these components on the digestive processes within the gastrointestinal tract; focusing on the effect of alginate on pancreatic lipase activity and its potential health benefits. Concluding that there is evidence to suggest alginate has the potential to be used as an obesity treatment, however, further in vivo research is required and an effective delivery method for alginate must be designed.

Marine Algae as a Potential Source for Anti-Obesity Agents

“…For instance, Wilcox et al (2014) reported that alginates from Laminaria hyperborea, with high glucoronic acid content, showed higher inhibition of pancreatic lipase than alginates from Lessonia nigrescens, with high mannuronic acid content [33]. The inhibition of pancreatic lipase by alginates is substrate specific, and is affected by the type of triacylglycerols and fatty acid chain length [34]. However, molecular weight of the alginates is not a determining factor that affects their inhibitory activity.…”

“…Seaweed compounds such as alginates, fucoidans, and phlorotannins have been shown to have a role in the control of digestion and thus, have been implicated as potential agents for obesity treatments [34]. The carotenoid fucoxanthin is another potential agent with anti-obesity effect.…”

“…There is also a need to develop effective delivery systems for the algal compounds. For instance, the main obstacle in using alginates for obesity treatment appears to be how to introduce the fiber into the everyday diet [34]. While alginates have been added to food and drinks (e.g., white bread), the alginate-enriched products may have poor palatability.…”

Manifestation of Metabolic Syndrome by Turbinaria Species: A Review

“…Plethora of studies has shortlisted three major bioactive compounds from brown seaweeds which have the potential as anti-obesity anti cholestrolemic agents namely fucosterols, fucoxanthin, fucoidans 33 .…”

A novel polysaccharide from Sargassum integerrimum induces apoptosis in A549 cells and prevents angiogensis in vitro and in vivo

“…Among them, brown algae are known to have many different bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and polyphenols19. In particular, Sargassum , a genus of brown seaweed, has been reported to produce polysaccharides with a low fucose and sulfate content, which possesses neuroprotective20, antioxidant21 and anticancer activities22.…”