Biologically Active Compounds in Seaweed Extracts – the Prospects for the Application
Katarzyna Chojnacka*, Agnieszka Saeid, Zuzanna Witkowska and Łukasz Tuhy
Institute of Inorganic Technology and Mineral Fertilizers, Wroclaw University of Technology ul. Smoluchowskiego 25, 50-372 Wroclaw, Poland
Abstract: The paper covers the latest developments in research on the utilitarian properties of algal extracts. Their appli- cation as the components of pharmaceuticals, feeds for animals and fertilizers was discussed. The classes of various bio- logically active compounds were characterized in terms of their role and the mechanism of action in an organism of hu- man, animal and plant.
Recently, many papers have been published which discuss the methods of manufacture and the composition of algal ex- tracts. The general conclusion is that the composition of extracts strongly depends on the raw material (geographical loca- tion of harvested algae and algal species) as well as on the extraction method. The biologically active compounds which are transferred from the biomass of algae to the liquid phase include polysaccharides, proteins, polyunsaturated fatty ac- ids, pigments, polyphenols, minerals, plant growth hormones and other. They have well documented beneficial effect on humans, animals and plants, mainly by protection of an organism from biotic and abiotic stress (antibacterial activity, scavenging of free radicals, host defense activity etc.) and can be valuable components of pharmaceuticals, feed additives and fertilizers.
This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/li- censes/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited. (Download PDF)