Seaweed Flora of the European North Atlantic and Mediterranean 6.3 Seaweeds Biodiversity and Potential 67
Part A | 6.3
6.2 The Marine Algae and Their Biotechnological Potential
Over time, the need to find new paths in search of new
sources of energy is evident and relevant, especially the
methods independent of fossil fuels, because they will
run out one day and have an increasingly higher cost of
use, both in terms of economic costs but mainly environmental costs.
One way to achieve it is by taking advantage of the
biomass from the cultivation of algae in the oceans and
seas, which offer large areas available for that purpose,
which does not happen on land, where farmland is occupied for the production of food. The algae can produce,
for example, biodiesel and ethanol.
On the other hand, in recent years, several marine organisms have been confirmed as an important source of new compounds potentially useful for
the development of chemotherapeutic agents. Previous investigations of the production of antibiotic substances by aquatic organisms point to these
forms as a rich and varied source of antibacterial and antifungal agents. Over 15 000 novel compounds have been chemically determined. Focusing
on bioproducts, recent trends in drug research from
natural sources suggest that algae are a promising
group to furnish novel biochemically active substances [6.6].
Seaweeds or marine macroalgae are the renewable
living resources which are also used as food and fertilizer in many parts of the world. Seaweeds are of
nutritional interest as they contain low calorie food but
are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers [6.7].
In addition to vitamins and minerals, seaweeds are also
potentially good sources of proteins, polysaccharides
and fibers [6.8]. The lipids, which are present in very
small amounts, are unsaturated and afford protection
against cardiovascular pathogens.
Seaweeds are considered as a source of bioactive
compounds as they are able to produce a great variety
of secondary metabolites characterized by a broad spectrum of biological activities. Compounds with antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial activities
have been detected in brown, red, and green algae [6.9,
10]. There are numerous reports of compounds derived
from macroalgae with a broad range of biological activities, such as antibacterial [6.11], antivirals [6.12],
antitumorals [6.13], anticoagulant [6.14], and antifouling [6.15], antihelminthic and antifungal [6.16].
6.3 Taxonomy and Description of Marine Algae
with Biotechnological Potential
6.3.1 Domain/Empire Prokaryota,
Kingdom Bacteria,
Phylum Cyanobacteria (Blue–Green
Algae)
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Nostocales
Rivularia bullata (Poir) Berkeley
ex Bornet & Flahault
Description. In general, blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) are not easy to find on the coastline edge
(Fig. 6.1). However, one species may be easily confused with a green seaweed (Chlorophyta), whereby
described here. This species forms small globular
vesicles, dark green, sometimes bluish, gelatinous,
and elastic; adherent to exposed rocks, sometimes on
Chthamalus spp. (Barnacles), together with Lichina
pygmaea (Lichens), and may attain 5 mm in diameter [6.2, 17].
Habitat. Grows on rocks of the upper littoral zone.
Distribution. NE Atlantic (Ireland and Britain to Portugal); Mediterranean; SW Indian Ocean; SW Pacific;
Australia.
Uses and Compounds. Present antibacterial activity [6.18, 19].
6.3.2 Domain/Empire Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Phylum Chlorophyta (Green Algae)
Class: Bryopsidophyceae
Order: Bryopsidales
Bryopsis hypnoides J.V. Lamouroux
Description. Plants in filamentous tufts, dull or dark
green, 10 cm tall, are branching in an irregular, scattered pattern. Primary axes are highly branched. Fronds
decrease in diameter with each successive division;
Part A | 6.3
6.2 The Marine Algae and Their Biotechnological Potential
Over time, the need to find new paths in search of new
sources of energy is evident and relevant, especially the
methods independent of fossil fuels, because they will
run out one day and have an increasingly higher cost of
use, both in terms of economic costs but mainly environmental costs.
One way to achieve it is by taking advantage of the
biomass from the cultivation of algae in the oceans and
seas, which offer large areas available for that purpose,
which does not happen on land, where farmland is occupied for the production of food. The algae can produce,
for example, biodiesel and ethanol.
On the other hand, in recent years, several marine organisms have been confirmed as an important source of new compounds potentially useful for
the development of chemotherapeutic agents. Previous investigations of the production of antibiotic substances by aquatic organisms point to these
forms as a rich and varied source of antibacterial and antifungal agents. Over 15 000 novel compounds have been chemically determined. Focusing
on bioproducts, recent trends in drug research from
natural sources suggest that algae are a promising
group to furnish novel biochemically active substances [6.6].
Seaweeds or marine macroalgae are the renewable
living resources which are also used as food and fertilizer in many parts of the world. Seaweeds are of
nutritional interest as they contain low calorie food but
are rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers [6.7].
In addition to vitamins and minerals, seaweeds are also
potentially good sources of proteins, polysaccharides
and fibers [6.8]. The lipids, which are present in very
small amounts, are unsaturated and afford protection
against cardiovascular pathogens.
Seaweeds are considered as a source of bioactive
compounds as they are able to produce a great variety
of secondary metabolites characterized by a broad spectrum of biological activities. Compounds with antioxidant, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial activities
have been detected in brown, red, and green algae [6.9,
10]. There are numerous reports of compounds derived
from macroalgae with a broad range of biological activities, such as antibacterial [6.11], antivirals [6.12],
antitumorals [6.13], anticoagulant [6.14], and antifouling [6.15], antihelminthic and antifungal [6.16].
6.3 Taxonomy and Description of Marine Algae
with Biotechnological Potential
6.3.1 Domain/Empire Prokaryota,
Kingdom Bacteria,
Phylum Cyanobacteria (Blue–Green
Algae)
Class: Cyanophyceae
Order: Nostocales
Rivularia bullata (Poir) Berkeley
ex Bornet & Flahault
Description. In general, blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) are not easy to find on the coastline edge
(Fig. 6.1). However, one species may be easily confused with a green seaweed (Chlorophyta), whereby
described here. This species forms small globular
vesicles, dark green, sometimes bluish, gelatinous,
and elastic; adherent to exposed rocks, sometimes on
Chthamalus spp. (Barnacles), together with Lichina
pygmaea (Lichens), and may attain 5 mm in diameter [6.2, 17].
Habitat. Grows on rocks of the upper littoral zone.
Distribution. NE Atlantic (Ireland and Britain to Portugal); Mediterranean; SW Indian Ocean; SW Pacific;
Australia.
Uses and Compounds. Present antibacterial activity [6.18, 19].
6.3.2 Domain/Empire Eukaryota,
Kingdom Plantae,
Phylum Chlorophyta (Green Algae)
Class: Bryopsidophyceae
Order: Bryopsidales
Bryopsis hypnoides J.V. Lamouroux
Description. Plants in filamentous tufts, dull or dark
green, 10 cm tall, are branching in an irregular, scattered pattern. Primary axes are highly branched. Fronds
decrease in diameter with each successive division;