Health applications of bioactive compounds from marine microalgae

Abstract

Marine microalgae and cyanobacteria are very rich in several chemical compounds and, therefore, they may be used in several biological applications related with health benefits, among others. This review brings the research up-to-date on the bioactive compounds produced by marine unicellular algae, directly or indirectly related to human health. It covers and goes through the most studied applications of substances such as PUFA, sterols, proteins and enzymes, vitamins and pigments, in areas so diverse as human and animal nutrition, therapeutics, and aquaculture. The great potential of marine microalgae and the biocoumpounds they produce are discussed in this review.

Keywords: Astaxanthin (PubChem CID: 5281224); Beta-carotene (PubChem CID: 5280489); Bioactive compounds; Brassicasterol (PubChem CID: 5281327); Chemical compounds studied; Cu, Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) (PubChem CID: 11963501); Cyanobacteria; Gambieric acid A (PubChem CID: 6436260); Gamma-aminobutyric acid (PubChem CID: 119); Gamma-linolenic acid (PubChem CID: 5280933); Health applications; Marine microalgae; Nutraceuticals; Okadaic acid (PubChem CID: 446512); Oxidative stress; Phycocyanin (PubChem CID: 6817).