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Review
. 2020 Sep 30;18(10):501.
doi: 10.3390/md18100501.

Bioactive Properties of Marine Phenolics

Raquel Mateos  1 , José Ricardo Pérez-Correa  2 , Herminia Domínguez  3
Affiliations
Review

Bioactive Properties of Marine Phenolics

Raquel Mateos et al. Mar Drugs. .

Abstract

Phenolic compounds from marine organisms are far less studied than those from terrestrial sources since their structural diversity and variability require powerful analytical tools. However, both their biological relevance and potential properties make them an attractive group deserving increasing scientific interest. The use of efficient extraction and, in some cases, purification techniques can provide novel bioactives useful for food, nutraceutical, cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical applications. The bioactivity of marine phenolics is the consequence of their enzyme inhibitory effect and antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, antioxidant, or anti-inflammatory activities. This review presents a survey of the major types of phenolic compounds found in marine sources, as well as their reputed effect in relation to the occurrence of dietary and lifestyle-related diseases, notably type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cancer and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the influence of marine phenolics on gut microbiota and other pathologies is also addressed.

Keywords: Keywords: bromophenols; algae; biological activity; flavonoids; health benefits; phlorotannins; seagrass; seawater; simple phenolics.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Examples of the families of phenolic compounds found in marine sources: bromophenols, simple phenolic acids and flavonoids, different types of phlorotannins (fucols, phlorethols, fucophlorethols, fuhalols, carmalols and eckols, as well as phloroglucinol monomeric unit).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Mechanisms of action of marine phenolics.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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