Bioactive peptides from microalgae: Focus on anti‐cancer and immunomodulating activity

Abstract

In addition to the rapidly expanding field of using microalgae for food and feed, microalgae represent a tremendous potential for new bioactive compounds with health-promoting effects. One field where new therapeutics is needed is cancer therapy. As cancer therapy often cause severe side effects and loose effect due to development of drug resistance, new therapeutic agents are needed. Treating cancer by modulating the immune response using peptides has led to unprecedented responses in patients. In this review, we want to elucidate the potential for microalgae as a source of new peptides for possible use in cancer management. Among the limited studies on anti-cancer effects of peptides, positive results were found in a total of six different forms of cancer. The majority of studies have been performed with different strains of Chlorella, but effects have also been found using peptides from other species. This is also the case for peptides with immunomodulating effects and peptides with other health-promoting effects (e.g., role in cardiovascular diseases). However, the active peptide sequence has been determined in only half of the studies. In many cases, the microalga strain and the cultivation conditions used for producing the algae have not been reported. The low number of species that have been explored, as opposed to the large number of species available, is a clear indication that the potential for new discoveries is large. Additionally, the availability and cost-effectiveness of microalgae make them attractive in the search for bioactive peptides to prevent cancer.

Melitina: o uso do principal componente da peçonha de abelha no combate de linhagens de células tumorais pulmonares

“…In this context, anticancer peptides have emerged as a new approach in the treatment of cancer. In the last two decades, natural peptides with anticancer properties have been isolated from several organisms, including mammals 39 , fish 40 , sponges 41 , molluscs 42 , amphibians 43 and algae 44 . The present study, in turn, gathered evidence on the anticancer effect of the peptide melittin, from the venom of Apis spp.…”

Alternative Protein Sources and Novel Foods: Benefits, Food Applications and Safety Issues

“…Microalgae peptides that mimic the functions of mediators involved in pathologic processes responsible for vascular damage playing a putative role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease were discussed by Li et al [ 212 ]. Cancer-inhibiting or immunomodulating effects of microalgae have been reported, although the number of reports on bioactive peptide sequences is very limited [ 259 ]. These studies, antioxidant and ACE potential have been confirmed in vitro for other microalgae hydrolysates obtained from C. vulgaris , Porphyra dioica , Fucus spiralis [ 234 , 260 , 261 ].…”

A review on the application of bioactive peptides as preservatives and functional ingredients in food model systems

“…Various groups of algae such as Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) and Chlorella are excellent sources of protein (up to 70% dry wt.) (Wells et al, 2017) and, therefore, were explored for their peptides with bioactive properties such as anticancer and immunomodulating activity (Skjånes et al, 2021). Similarly, hydrolysis of marine microalgae with a range of proteases generated bioactive peptides with potential health benefits (Barkia et al, 2019).…”