Emergent Sources of Prebiotics: Seaweeds and Microalgae

Abstract

In recent years, scientists have become aware that human microbiota, in general, and gut microbiota, in particular, play a major role in human health and diseases, such as obesity and diabetes, among others. A large number of evidence has come to light regarding the beneficial effects, either for the host or the gut microbiota, of some foods and food ingredients or biochemical compounds. Among these, the most promising seem to be polysaccharides (PS) or their derivatives, and they include the dietary fibers. Some of these PS can be found in seaweeds and microalgae, some being soluble fibers, such as alginates, fucoidans, carrageenans and exopolysaccharides, that are not fermented, at least not completely, by colonic microbiota. This review gives an overview of the importance of the dietary fibers, as well as the benefits of prebiotics, to human health. The potential of the PS from marine macro- and microalgae to act as prebiotics is discussed, and the different techniques to obtain oligosaccharides from PS are presented. The mechanisms of the benefits of fiber, in general, and the types and benefits of algal fibers in human health are highlighted. The findings of some recent studies that present the potential effects of prebiotics on animal models of algal biomass and their extracts, as well as oligo- and polysaccharides, are presented. In the future, the possibility of using prebiotics to modulate the microbiome, and, consequently, prevent certain human diseases is foreseen.

Effect of feeding duration of <i>Spirulina platensis</i> on growth performance, haematological parameters, intestinal microbial population and carcass traits of broiler chicks

“…Indeed, several compounds, including γ-linolenic acid, active fatty acid lauric and palmitoleic acid, have been attributed to the antimicrobial activities of S. platensis (El-Sheekh et al, 2014). With its prebiotic properties (Beheshtipour et al, 2013;de Jesus Raposo et al, 2016), S. platensis is known to possess a stimulating effect on the growth of LAB (Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei and Streptococcus thermophilus) (Bhowmik et al, 2009). In broiler chickens, S. platensis administration has been associated with the increased intestinal population of LAB (Shanmugapriya et al, 2015b), while in Japanese quails, feeding such algae tended to increase the count of intestinal lactobacilli (Yusuf et al, 2016).…”

“…With regard to S. platensis in particular, this microalga has high contents of protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and pigments (Beheshtipour et al, 2013;Holman & Malau-Aduli, 2013). Spirulina platensis is also rich in polysaccharides, which may function as prebiotics (Beheshtipour et al, 2013;de Jesus Raposo et al, 2016).…”

Lactic acid fermentation of Arthrospira platensis (spirulina) biomass for probiotic-based products

“…Polysaccharides from algae, for example β-glucans from C. vulgaris, and spirulina biomass are already recognised and accepted as dietary prebiotics (Jiménez-Escrig et al 2013;de Jesus Raposo et al 2016).…”

Melanoma and brown seaweed: an integrative hypothesis

“…Dietary seaweeds have been found to have significant prebiotic effects that influence Bifidobacterium populations (de Jesus et al 2016). Wang reported that 2.5 % alginate supplementation in rats increased Bifidobacterium by 13-fold compared to the control group (Wang et al 2006).…”