Chemical Composition and Potential Practical Application of 15 Red Algal Species from the White Sea Coast (the Arctic Ocean)

Abstract

Though numerous valuable compounds from red algae already experience high demand in medicine, nutrition, and different branches of industry, these organisms are still recognized as an underexploited resource. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the chemical composition of 15 Arctic red algal species from the perspective of their practical relevance in medicine and the food industry. We show that several virtually unstudied species may be regarded as promising sources of different valuable metabolites and minerals. Thus, several filamentous ceramialean algae (Ceramium virgatum, Polysiphonia stricta, Savoiea arctica) had total protein content of 20–32% of dry weight, which is comparable to or higher than that of already commercially exploited species (Palmaria palmata, Porphyra sp.). Moreover, ceramialean algae contained high amounts of pigments, macronutrients, and ascorbic acid. Euthora cristata (Gigartinales) accumulated free essential amino acids, taurine, pantothenic acid, and floridoside. Thalli of P. palmata and C. virgatum contained the highest amounts of the nonproteinogenic amino acid β-alanine (9.1 and 3.2 μM g−1 DW, respectively). Several red algae tend to accumulate heavy metals; although this may limit their application in the food industry, it makes them promising candidates for phytoremediation or the use as bioindicators.

Comparison of Production and Fluorescence Characteristics of Phycoerythrin from Three Strains of Porphyridium

“…However, the phycoerythrin content of the three strains of Porphyridium reached an average of 6% DW, which was higher than that of Neopyropia . Moreover, the phycoerythrin content of Porphyridium was remarkably higher than that of 15 strains of Arctic red macroalgae (0.30–3.45% DW) [ 43 ]. The yield of phycoerythrin was the product of the biomass concentration and the content of phycoerythrin.…”

The Potential of Algae in the Nutricosmetic Sector

“…Taurine extracted from the thalli of Euthora cristata , Ahnfeltia plicata , and Ceramium virgatum has antioxidant and chelating abilities [ 118 , 119 ]. The peptides (PYP1-5, and Porphyra 334) from Porphyra yezoensis f. coreana increase collagen and elastin levels and reduce the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) MMP-1 and MMP-8 [ 120 ].…”

Applying Seaweed Compounds in Cosmetics, Cosmeceuticals and Nutricosmetics

“…Carnosine, glutathione, and taurine are peptides with antioxidant and chelating properties [132]. Due to the lack of a carboxyl group, taurine is not a "true" amino acid but has a number of health-promoting properties, being accumulated in the thalli of several red algae, such as Ahnfeltia plicata, Euthora cristata, and Ceramium virgatum [133]. The peptide, PPY1, is composed of five amino acids and is obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis from Pyropia yezoensis, and it shows anti-inflammatory effects through the suppression of inflammatory cytokines [134].…”