Recent advances in industrial applications of seaweeds

• Published in: Critical reviews in food science and nutrition Vol. 63; no. 21; pp. 4979 - 5008
• Main Authors: Polat, Sevim, Trif, Monica, Rusu, Alexandru, Šimat, Vida, Čagalj, Martina, Alak, Gonca, Meral, Raciye, Özogul, Yesim, Polat, Abdurahman, Özogul, Fatih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 2023; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Aging (natural); Algae; Alternative medicine; Anticancer properties; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Bioactive compounds; Biological activity; Carbohydrates; Carrageenan; Cosmetics; Dermatology; Diabetes mellitus; Dietary fiber; Fatty acids; Food; Food industry; Fucoidan; functional properties; Harvesting; health benefits; Health promotion; Industrial applications; industrial utilization; Inflammation; Metabolites; Molecular modelling; Noodles; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Pharmaceuticals; Polyphenols; Polyunsaturated fatty acids; Proteins; Raw materials; Seaweed; Seaweeds; Secondary metabolites; Vitamins; Wines; functional properties; industrial utilization; seaweeds; health benefits; Bioactive compounds
• ISSN: 1040-8398; 1549-7852
• DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2021.2010646

Seaweeds have been generally utilized as food and alternative medicine in different countries. They are specifically used as a raw material for wine, cheese, soup, tea, noodles, etc. In addition, seaweeds are potentially good resources of protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and dietary fiber. The quality and quantity of biologically active compounds in seaweeds depend on season and harvesting period, seaweed geolocation as well as ecological factors. Seaweeds or their extracts have been studied as innovative sources for a variety of bioactive compounds such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols, carrageenan, fucoidan, etc. These secondary metabolites have been shown to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-obesity and anti-tumour properties. They have been used in pharmaceutical/medicine, and food industries since bioactive compounds from seaweeds are regarded as safe and natural. Therefore, this article provides up-to-date information on the applications of seaweed in different industries such as pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetics, dermatology and agriculture. Further studies on innovative extraction methods, safety issue and health-promoting properties should be reconsidered. Moreover, the details of the molecular mechanisms of seaweeds and their bioactive compounds for physiological activities are to be clearly elucidated.