Metabolomic characterization of algal nutraceuticals to elucidate their biological activities

Algal nutraceuticals have emerged as the valuable bioresources due to their various chemical compositions and potential health benefits. Algae contain many bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, omega-3 fatty acids, pigments, and vitamins, which are vital for the various biological processes in the human body. Understanding these complex metabolites is essential for their application in functional foods, dietary supplements, and pharmaceuticals. In this context, metabolomics provides a comprehensive approach for analyzing algal metabolic profiles and their nutritional and medicinal values.

This review explores the role of metabolomics in the evaluation and development of algal nutraceuticals. It focuses particularly on the identification and characterization of small-molecule metabolites in algae, offering insights into their functional properties and bioactivities. This review also discusses the integration of metabolomics with other omics technologies to achieve a holistic understanding of the metabolism of algae.

Metabolomic studies have successfully explored a wide range of bioactive compounds in algae with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and neuroprotective activities. Techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have advanced the detection and quantification of metabolites with high sensitivity and resolution, respectively. Additionally, metabolomics aids to determine the quality biomarkers and the assessment of algal nutritional content. Integrating metabolomics with genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics will further elucidate the metabolic pathways and regulatory networks in algae. This review highlights the critical role of metabolomics in maximizing the utilization of algae for health benefits.