New trends for macroalgal natural products applications

Phytochemical compounds with promising biological activities from Ascophyllum nodosum extracts using microwave-assisted extraction

Phytochemical-rich antioxidant extracts were obtained from Ascophyllum nodosum (AN) using microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Critical extraction factors such as time, pressure, and ethanol concentration were optimized by response surface methodology with a circumscribed central composite design. Under the optimal MAE conditions (3 min, 10.4 bar, 46.8 % ethanol), the maximum recovery of phytochemical compounds (polyphenols and fucoxanthin) with improved antioxidant activity from AN was obtained. In addition, the optimized AN extract showed significant biological activities as it was able to scavenge reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, inhibit central nervous system-related enzymes, and exhibit cytotoxic activity against different cancer cell lines. In addition, the optimized AN extract showed antimicrobial, and anti-quorum sensing activities, indicating that this extract could offer direct and indirect protection against infection by pathogenic microorganisms. This work demonstrated that the sustainably obtained AN extract could be an emerging, non-toxic, and natural ingredient with potential to be included in different applications.

Gamma-irradiation effect on the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of the moroccan tanacetum annuum L. essential oil

The primary objective of the present inquiry was to assess the impact of gamma irradiation on the chemical composition and antibacterial potential of the essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Moroccan Tanacetum annuum L. to this end, two distinct irradiation doses of 5 kGy and 10 kGy were administered to the essential oil, and the resultant effects were evaluated via analysis of the oil's chemical composition and antibacterial activity. The study findings have revealed that irradiation technology possesses the remarkable ability to modulate the concentrations of specific chemical constituents in a manner that effectively amplifies the antibacterial activity of the essential oil. Moreover, the technology has evinced the generation of novel compounds while also demonstrating the eradication of certain pre-existing ones upon the oil's exposure to irradiation. These discoveries have emphasized the potential of irradiation technology for augmenting the chemical profile of essential oils, thereby mitigating the risk of contamination via microbiological, physical, or chemical means, ultimately enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of the plant and its essential oil. Furthermore, the results of this study signify the possibility of harnessing irradiation technology in the production of various natural products and essential oils. The present research has thus broadened the horizons for the application of irradiation technology in advancing the potency and safety of essential oils, paving the way for a diverse range of applications in different fields, such as medicine.

Present and Future of Seaweed Cultivation and Its Applications in Colombia

Colombia has a diverse range of marine ecosystems in the coastal and insular areas of the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Seaweed research has focused mainly on the identification and taxonomic distribution of 628 species identified so far, mainly in the Caribbean Sea. Among the most widely cultivated genera of seaweeds in open-sea pilot systems in Colombia are Hydropuntia, Gracilaria, Hypnea, Kappaphycus, and Eucheuma. These genera have shown low yields as a consequence of high tissue fragility, epiphytism, sedimentation, and nitrogen deficiency. In addition, the evaluation of the biological activity of selected seaweed compounds has advanced considerably, focusing on their composition and their use for direct consumption by humans and animals. Despite the diversity of seaweeds, as well as certain technical and scientific advances, Colombia is still lagging behind other countries in seaweed exploitation, both in Latin America and worldwide. This current status raises the need to increase research, technological (agro-tech) appropriation, and the adoption of effective public policies that will boost algal businesses. In addition, seaweed cultivation could support the current blue economy transition in Colombia, which could eventually allow the country to enter the global seaweed market.

Green Extraction of Carrageenans from Mastocarpus stellatus

The recovery of biopolymers from natural resources using eco-friendly extraction technologies that enhance their mechanical properties has gained attention in recent years. In this context, this work deals with the isolation of hybrid carrageenans from Mastocarpus stellatus red seaweed using subcritical water extraction operating in a wide range of thermal conditions (70–190 °C). The extracted biopolymers were analyzed by means of either Fourier-Transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, rheological or cell viability assays. In parallel, the fundamental chemical composition of the seaweed used as raw material, as well as the main phytochemical properties of the soluble liquid extracts, were also studied. Results indicated that thermal extraction conditions significantly affected the rheological behavior of the recovered hybrid carrageenans. The hybrid carrageenan extraction yields varied, with results between 10.2 and 30.2% being the highest values obtained at hydrothermal treatment of 130 °C. A wide palette of viscous features was identified for recovered hybrid carrageenans, with the strongest rheology properties observed at the same temperature. It should be remarked that the maximum inhibitory effect was also obtained at 130 °C for both the ovarian carcinoma cell line (A2780) (65%, IC₅₀: 0.31 mg/mL) and lung carcinoma cell line (A549) (59%, IC₅₀: 0.41 mg/mL).

Exploring the Potential of Icelandic Seaweeds Extracts Produced by Aqueous Pulsed Electric Fields-Assisted Extraction for Cosmetic Applications

A growing concern for overall health is driving a global market of natural ingredients not only in the food industry but also in the cosmetic field. In this study, a screening on potential cosmetic applications of aqueous extracts from three Icelandic seaweeds produced by pulsed electric fields (PEF) was performed. Produced extracts by PEF from Ulva lactuca, Alaria esculenta and Palmaria palmata were compared with the traditional hot water extraction in terms of polyphenol, flavonoid and carbohydrate content. Moreover, antioxidant properties and enzymatic inhibitory activities were evaluated by using in vitro assays. PEF exhibited similar results to the traditional method, showing several advantages such as its non-thermal nature and shorter extraction time. Amongst the three Icelandic species, Alaria esculenta showed the highest content of phenolic (mean value 8869.7 µg GAE/g dw) and flavonoid (mean value 12,098.7 µg QE/g dw) compounds, also exhibiting the highest antioxidant capacities. Moreover, Alaria esculenta extracts exhibited excellent anti-enzymatic activities (76.9, 72.8, 93.0 and 100% for collagenase, elastase, tyrosinase and hyaluronidase, respectively) for their use in skin whitening and anti-aging products. Thus, our preliminary study suggests that Icelandic Alaria esculenta-based extracts produced by PEF could be used as potential ingredients for natural cosmetic and cosmeceutical formulations.

Applying Seaweed Compounds in Cosmetics, Cosmeceuticals and Nutricosmetics

The interest in seaweeds for cosmetic, cosmeceutics, and nutricosmetics is increasing based on the demand for natural ingredients. Seaweeds offer advantages in relation to their renewable character, wide distribution, and the richness and versatility of their valuable bioactive compounds, which can be used as ingredients, as additives, and as active agents in the formulation of skin care products. Bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, amino acids, lipids, vitamins, and minerals, are responsible for the biological properties associated with seaweeds. Seaweed fractions can also offer technical features, such as thickening, gelling, emulsifying, texturizing, or moistening to develop cohesive matrices. Furthermore, the possibility of valorizing industrial waste streams and algal blooms makes them an attractive, low cost, raw and renewable material. This review presents an updated summary of the activities of different seaweed compounds and fractions based on scientific and patent literature.

The Use of Invasive Algae Species as a Source of Secondary Metabolites and Biological Activities: Spain as Case-Study

In the recent decades, algae have proven to be a source of different bioactive compounds with biological activities, which has increased the potential application of these organisms in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, animal feed, and other industrial sectors. On the other hand, there is a growing interest in developing effective strategies for control and/or eradication of invasive algae since they have a negative impact on marine ecosystems and in the economy of the affected zones. However, the application of control measures is usually time and resource-consuming and not profitable. Considering this context, the valorization of invasive algae species as a source of bioactive compounds for industrial applications could be a suitable strategy to reduce their population, obtaining both environmental and economic benefits. To carry out this practice, it is necessary to evaluate the chemical and the nutritional composition of the algae as well as the most efficient methods of extracting the compounds of interest. In the case of northwest Spain, five algae species are considered invasive: Asparagopsis armata, Codium fragile, Gracilaria vermiculophylla, Sargassum muticum, and Grateulopia turuturu. This review presents a brief description of their main bioactive compounds, biological activities, and extraction systems employed for their recovery. In addition, evidence of their beneficial properties and the possibility of use them as supplement in diets of aquaculture animals was collected to illustrate one of their possible applications.

Seaweeds Compounds: An Ecosustainable Source of Cosmetic Ingredients?

Seaweed-based cosmetics are being gradually used by consumers as a substitute of synthetic equivalent products. These seaweed-based products normally contain purified compounds or extracts with several compounds. Several seaweeds’ molecules already demonstrated a high potential as a cosmetic active ingredient (such as, mycosporine-like amino acids, fucoidan, pigments, phenolic compounds) or as a key element for the products consistency (agar, alginate, carrageenan). Moreover, seaweeds’ compounds present important qualities for cosmetic application, such as low cytotoxicity and low allergens content. However, seaweeds’ biochemical profile can be variable, and the extraction methods can cause the loss of some of the biomolecules. This review gives a general look at the seaweed cosmetics benefits and its current application in the cosmetic industry. Moreover, it focuses on the ecological and sustainable scope of seaweed exploitation to guarantee a safe source of ingredients for the cosmetic industry and consumers.

Highlighting the Biological Potential of the Brown Seaweed Fucus spiralis for Skin Applications

Skin aging is a biological process influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The last ones, mainly exposure to UV radiation, increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) production leading to a loss of extracellular matrix, also enhanced by enzymatic degradation of matrix supporting molecules. Thus, and with the growing demand for eco-friendly skin products, natural compounds extracted from brown seaweeds revealed to be good candidates due to their broad range of bioactivities, especially as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to assess the dermo-cosmetic potential of different fractions obtained from the brown seaweed Fucus spiralis. For this purpose, in vitro antioxidant (Total Phenolic Content (TPC), 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC)), anti-enzymatic (collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase), antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory (NO production) and photoprotective (ROS production) capacities were evaluated. Although nearly all fractions evidenced antioxidant effects, fraction F10 demonstrated the highest antioxidant ability (EC₅₀ of 38.5 µg/mL, DPPH assay), and exhibited a strong effect as an inhibitor of collagenase (0.037 µg/mL) and elastase (3.0 µg/mL). Moreover, this fraction was also the most potent on reducing ROS production promoted by H₂O₂ (IC₅₀ of 41.3 µg/mL) and by UVB (IC₅₀ of 31.3 µg/mL). These bioactivities can be attributed to its high content of phlorotannins, as evaluated by LC-MS analysis, reinforcing the potential of F. spiralis for further dermatological applications.