Valuing Bioactive Lipids from Green, Red and Brown Macroalgae from Aquaculture, to Foster Functionality and Biotechnological Applications

Marine edible macroalgae have functional proprieties that might improve human health and wellbeing. Lipids represent a minor fraction of macroalgae, yet with major interest as main carriers of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and intrinsic bioactive properties. In this study, we used lipid extrac...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Diana Lopes, Tânia Melo, Felisa Rey, Joana Meneses, Fátima Liliana Monteiro, Luisa A. Helguero, Maria Helena Abreu, Ana Isabel Lillebø, Ricardo Calado, Maria Rosário Domingues
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-08-01
Series:Molecules
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/17/3883
Description
Summary:Marine edible macroalgae have functional proprieties that might improve human health and wellbeing. Lipids represent a minor fraction of macroalgae, yet with major interest as main carriers of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and intrinsic bioactive properties. In this study, we used lipid extracts from the green macroalgae <i>Ulva rigida</i> and <i>Codium tomentosum</i>; the red <i>Gracilaria gracilis,</i><i>Palmaria palmata</i> and <i>Porphyra dioica;</i> and the brown <i>Fucus vesiculosus</i>, produced in a land-based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. We determined the lipid quality indices based on their fatty acid profiles and their bioactivities as putative antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agents. The results reveal to be species-specific, namely <i>U. rigida</i> displayed the lowest atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices. <i>Palmaria palmata</i> and <i>F. vesiculosus</i> lipid extracts displayed the lowest inhibitory concentration in the free radical scavenging antioxidant assays. <i>Ulva rigida, C. tomentosum, P. palmata</i> and <i>P. dioica</i> inhibited COX-2 activity by up to 80%, while <i>P. dioica</i> and <i>P. palmata</i> extracts showed the highest cytotoxic potential in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This work enhances the valorization of macroalgae as functional foods and promising ingredients for sustainable and healthy diets and fosters new applications of high-valued algal biomass, in a species-specific context.
ISSN:1420-3049