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Health-promoting ingredients from four selected Azorean macroalgae
Lisete Paiva1, Elisabete Lima1, Ana Isabel Neto2
1Research Center for Agricultural Technology (CITA-A), Department of Technological Sciences and Development (DCTD), University of Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, S. Miguel, Azores, Portugal.
Food Research International (Ottawa, Ont.)
|May 3, 2017
Summary
Four Azorean macroalgae offer significant nutritional benefits, including healthy fatty acids, essential amino acids, and antioxidants. Regular consumption of these seaweeds may enhance human health and combat aging.
Area of Science:
- Marine Botany
- Nutritional Science
- Food Chemistry
Background:
- Macroalgae are increasingly recognized for their diverse bioactive compounds.
- Azorean marine ecosystems harbor unique seaweed species with potential health benefits.
- Comprehensive nutritional profiling is essential to unlock the value of edible seaweeds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional composition and health-promoting properties of four Azorean macroalgae species.
- To determine fatty acid profiles, mineral content, amino acid composition, and antioxidant capacity.
- To assess the potential of these seaweeds for human health, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals.
Main Methods:
- Proximate analysis for total lipids and energy value.
- Gas chromatography for fatty acid (FA) profiling.
- Amino acid analysis, mineral determination, and quantification of coenzyme Q10 and α-tocopherol.
- Spectrophotometric assays for total phenolics and antioxidant activity (free radical scavenging).
Main Results:
- Low lipid content (1.02-4.32%) with high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content (29.57-69.22%).
- Favorable n6/n3 and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic FA ratios, balanced macromineral ratios, and significant essential amino acid content (45.27-58.13%).
- High levels of anti-aging amino acids, coenzyme Q10, α-tocopherol, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity were observed.
Conclusions:
- Azorean macroalgae (Ulva compressa, Ulva rigida, Gelidium microdon, Pterocladiella capillacea) are rich sources of beneficial nutrients and bioactive compounds.
- Regular intake may contribute to improved human health, disease prevention, and anti-aging effects.
- These seaweeds hold potential for development into functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmeceuticals.
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