Pharmacological and Antioxidant Attributes of Significant Bioactives Constituents Derived from Algae

Abstract

Algae are marine or freshwater phytosynthetic microscopic organisms with fast growing rate. Moreover, reports have revealed that they have diverse bioactive substances which have proven potent in enhancing nutrients in food and feed, promote good health, and serve to maintain economic sustainability in industries over the coming years. Algae have been documented to be a reservoir for several secondary metabolites such as terpenoid, taondiol, stypodiol, isoepitaondiol; and hydroxycinnamic and cinnamic acids. In this chapter, the chemical structure of some bioactive constituents used in the formulation of high-valued therapeutic drugs and their benefit are documented. Also, some natural bioactives like fucoidan, phycocyanin, phycocyanobilin, laminarin, fucosterol, saccharides, phlorotannins, dieckol, D-isofloridoside and phycoerythrin from algae were revealed. Applications of these bioactive constituents as immune booster, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidants, anticancer, wound healing, antimicrobial, etc., were also stated.