Revista de Farmacognosia e Produtos Naturais

Isolation and Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Marine Algae

Abstract

Eleni Madelou

Marine algae, a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms found in the world's oceans, have gained significant attention for their potential in providing a wealth of bioactive compounds. These compounds have shown promise in various applications, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. Marine algae are classified into three main types: green algae (Chlorophyta), brown algae (Phaeophyceae) and red algae (Rhodophyta). These algae are rich sources of unique metabolites, including polysaccharides, polyphenols, fatty acids, pigments and terpenoids. These compounds exhibit a wide range of biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and anticancer properties. The ecological adaptability of marine algae to harsh marine environments equips them with robust defense mechanisms, making their bioactive compounds particularly potent.