SECMA 1, a mitogenic hexapeptide from Ulva algeae modulates the production of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans in human foreskin fibroblast

Antimicrobial Peptides from Photosynthetic Marine Organisms with Potential Application in Aquaculture

Aquaculture production is at a record level and is estimated to increase in the coming years. However, this production can be negatively affected by infectious diseases produced by viruses, bacteria, and parasites, causing fish mortality and economic losses. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides that may be promising candidates to replace antibiotics because they are the first line of defense in animals against a wide variety of pathogens and have no negative effects; they also show additional activities such as antioxidant or immunoregulatory functions, which makes them powerful alternatives for use in aquaculture. Moreover, AMPs are highly available in natural sources and have already been used in the livestock farming and food industries. Photosynthetic marine organisms can survive under all kinds of environmental conditions and under extremely competitive environments thanks to their flexible metabolism. For this reason, these organisms represent a powerful source of bioactive molecules as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals, including AMPs. Therefore, in this study we reviewed the present knowledge about AMPs from photosynthetic marine organism sources and analyzed whether they could be suitable for use in aquaculture.

A Systemic Review on Microalgal Peptides: Bioprocess and Sustainable Applications

Nowadays, microalgal research is predominantly centered on an industrial scale. In general, multipotent bioactive peptides are the advantages over focal points over utilitarian nourishment as well as nutraceuticals. Microalgal peptides are now profoundly connected with biological properties rather than nutritive. Numerous techniques are employed to purify active peptides from algal protein using enzymatic hydrolysis; it is broadly used for numerous favorable circumstances. There is a chance to utilize microalgal peptides for human well-being as nutritive enhancements. This exhaustive survey details the utilization of microalgal peptides as antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-hypersensitive, anti-atherosclerotic, and nutritional functional foods. It is also exploring the novel technologies for the production of active peptides, for instance, the use of algal peptides as food for human health discovered restrictions, where peptides are sensitive to hydrolysis protease degradation. This review emphasizes the issue of active peptides in gastrointestinal transit, which has to be solved in the future, and prompt impacts.

Production of Active Poly- and Oligosaccharidic Fractions from Ulva sp. by Combining Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE) and Depolymerization

Data on fractionation and depolymerization of the matrix ulvan polysaccharides, and studies on the biological activities on skin cells, are very scarce. In this work, crude ulvans were produced by using EAE (enzyme-assisted extraction) and compared to maceration (an established procedure). After different fractionation procedures-ethanolic precipitation, dialysis, or ammonium sulfate precipitation-the biochemical composition showed that EAE led to an increased content in ulvans. Coupling EAE to sulfate ammonium precipitation led to protein enrichment. Oligosaccharides were obtained by using radical depolymerization by H2O2 and ion-exchange resin depolymerization. Sulfate groups were partially cleaved during these chemical treatments. The potential bioactivity of the fractions was assessed using a lipoxygenase inhibition assay for anti-inflammatory activity and a WST-1 assay for human dermal fibroblast viability and proliferation. All ulvans extracts, poly- and oligosaccharidic fractions from EAE, expanded the fibroblast proliferation rate up to 62%. Our research emphasizes the potential use of poly- and oligosaccharidic fractions of Ulva sp. for further development in cosmetic applications.

Green Alga Ulva spp. Hydrolysates and Their Peptide Fractions Regulate Cytokine Production in Splenic Macrophages and Lymphocytes Involving the TLR4-NFκB/MAPK Pathways

Hydrolysates of food protein sources have immunomodulatory effects, which are of interest for use as functional foods. In this study, we have characterized the immune regulatory effect on rat splenocytes, macrophages and T lymphocytes of Ulva spp. hydrolysates and their peptide fractions with or without in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and/or ultrafiltration. IL-10 was induced in almost all conditions and cell types obtained from wild type animals. The induction was in general increased by ultrafiltration and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. TNF was also induced in basal conditions. In turn, TNF and IFN-γ production was attenuated by the hydrolysate products in lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A immune stimulated cells. Inhibitors for the activation of NFκB, MAPK p38 and JNK inhibited IL-10 induction in rat splenocytes. The response was dramatically attenuated in TLR4-/- cells, and only modestly in TLR2-/- cells. Food peptides from Ulva spp. genus exert anti-inflammatory effects in immune cells mediated by TLR4 and NFκB. Similarity with the immunomodulatory profile of protein hydrolysates from other sources suggests a common mechanism.

Marine natural product peptides with therapeutic potential: Chemistry, biosynthesis, and pharmacology

The oceans are a uniquely rich source of bioactive metabolites, of which sponges have been shown to be among the most prolific producers of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites with valuable therapeutic potential. Much attention has been focused on marine bioactive peptides due to their novel chemistry and diverse biological properties. As summarized in this review, marine peptides are known to exhibit various biological activities such as antiviral, anti-proliferative, antioxidant, anti-coagulant, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, antiobesity, and calcium-binding activities. This review focuses on the chemistry and biology of peptides isolated from sponges, bacteria, cyanobacteria, fungi, ascidians, and other marine sources. The role of marine invertebrate microbiomes in natural products biosynthesis is discussed in this review along with the biosynthesis of modified peptides from different marine sources. The status of peptides in various phases of clinical trials is presented, as well as the development of modified peptides including optimization of PK and bioavailability.

Algal Proteins: Extraction, Application, and Challenges Concerning Production

Population growth combined with increasingly limited resources of arable land and fresh water has resulted in a need for alternative protein sources. Macroalgae (seaweed) and microalgae are examples of under-exploited "crops". Algae do not compete with traditional food crops for space and resources. This review details the characteristics of commonly consumed algae, as well as their potential for use as a protein source based on their protein quality, amino acid composition, and digestibility. Protein extraction methods applied to algae to date, including enzymatic hydrolysis, physical processes, and chemical extraction and novel methods such as ultrasound-assisted extraction, pulsed electric field, and microwave-assisted extraction are discussed. Moreover, existing protein enrichment methods used in the dairy industry and the potential of these methods to generate high value ingredients from algae, such as bioactive peptides and functional ingredients are discussed. Applications of algae in human nutrition, animal feed, and aquaculture are examined.