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.
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