17.2.5.1 Polyphenolic Compounds
Marine polyphenolic compounds have been extracted from micro and macroalgae
and they are characterised in ten different categories according to their structures.
These ten classes include- phenolic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, simple phenols,
coumarines, xanthones, naphthoquinones, flavonoids, stibenes, anthraquinones and
lignins (Fig. 17.4) (Vo et al. 2011).
Phlorotannins that is one of the classes of polyphenol compounds produced by
brown algae families as a secondary metabolite is very effective in bacterial
infection. It also shows UV- protective and anti-proliferative effects (Fig. 17.3)
(Patel and Goyal 2011).
17.2.5.2 Photosynthetic Pigments
These are the pigments that capture solar energy and use it for photosynthesis. In
marine life generally micro and microalgae, plant, fungus have these types of
photosynthetic pigment. Carotenoids and chlorophyll are such examples of photosynthetic pigment that are present in macroalgae (Ishihara et al. 2010).
Carotenoids pigment exhibit anti-oxidant property and also act as pro-vitamin A,
which is further converted into vitamin A. Carotenoids also provide profusion
against cancer, cardio-vascular disease and AMD (age-related macular degeneration) (Mussatto and Mancilha 2007).
Beta-carotene and astaxanthins, found in microalgae along with carotenoids also
act as a antioxidants, anti-cancer agents and helps in treatment of arthritis disease
(Bin et al. 2013).
17.2.6 Vitamins and Minerals
They are considered as necessary nutrients which performs many vital roles to keep
human body healthy. They provide strength to bones, boost the immune system,
heal wounds and also repair cellular damages. Seafoods are considered as a good
source of vitamins and minerals. Palmarialongat, a macroalgae is an excellent
source of vit. B12 and green seaweeds like Laminaria digitata, U. Pinnatifida is a
great source of Vit. C and E. Also U. Pinnatifida and sargassum sp. contain an
adequate amount of major minerals like Na, Ca and Mg as well as trace minerals
(Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) (Kuroiwa et al. 2009). Vitamin D is very important for the
growth and development of the bones. It makes the bone stronger and prevents
various bone related diseases like rickets (in infants and children) and Osteoporosis
(in adults). Thus fatty fishes like salmon, pilchard etc. are good source of vit.
D (Ngo et al. 2010). In Table 17.4, examples of different microalgae with different
number of vitamins are mentioned. Figure 17.5 describes mineral content of different algae (Shahidi and Zhong 2010; Miyashita et al. 2011).
17 Biological Activities of Marine Products …
597
Marine polyphenolic compounds have been extracted from micro and macroalgae
and they are characterised in ten different categories according to their structures.
These ten classes include- phenolic acid, hydroxycinnamic acids, simple phenols,
coumarines, xanthones, naphthoquinones, flavonoids, stibenes, anthraquinones and
lignins (Fig. 17.4) (Vo et al. 2011).
Phlorotannins that is one of the classes of polyphenol compounds produced by
brown algae families as a secondary metabolite is very effective in bacterial
infection. It also shows UV- protective and anti-proliferative effects (Fig. 17.3)
(Patel and Goyal 2011).
17.2.5.2 Photosynthetic Pigments
These are the pigments that capture solar energy and use it for photosynthesis. In
marine life generally micro and microalgae, plant, fungus have these types of
photosynthetic pigment. Carotenoids and chlorophyll are such examples of photosynthetic pigment that are present in macroalgae (Ishihara et al. 2010).
Carotenoids pigment exhibit anti-oxidant property and also act as pro-vitamin A,
which is further converted into vitamin A. Carotenoids also provide profusion
against cancer, cardio-vascular disease and AMD (age-related macular degeneration) (Mussatto and Mancilha 2007).
Beta-carotene and astaxanthins, found in microalgae along with carotenoids also
act as a antioxidants, anti-cancer agents and helps in treatment of arthritis disease
(Bin et al. 2013).
17.2.6 Vitamins and Minerals
They are considered as necessary nutrients which performs many vital roles to keep
human body healthy. They provide strength to bones, boost the immune system,
heal wounds and also repair cellular damages. Seafoods are considered as a good
source of vitamins and minerals. Palmarialongat, a macroalgae is an excellent
source of vit. B12 and green seaweeds like Laminaria digitata, U. Pinnatifida is a
great source of Vit. C and E. Also U. Pinnatifida and sargassum sp. contain an
adequate amount of major minerals like Na, Ca and Mg as well as trace minerals
(Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu) (Kuroiwa et al. 2009). Vitamin D is very important for the
growth and development of the bones. It makes the bone stronger and prevents
various bone related diseases like rickets (in infants and children) and Osteoporosis
(in adults). Thus fatty fishes like salmon, pilchard etc. are good source of vit.
D (Ngo et al. 2010). In Table 17.4, examples of different microalgae with different
number of vitamins are mentioned. Figure 17.5 describes mineral content of different algae (Shahidi and Zhong 2010; Miyashita et al. 2011).
17 Biological Activities of Marine Products …
597