Bio-functionalities of proteins derived from marine algae - A review

Marine algae are a diverse group of organisms that have been targeted to figure out their secondary metabolites and broad spectrum of natural bioactivities for beneficial health effects in many decades. Recently, increasing attention has been paid on the pronouncement of bio-functional proteins and some peptides from marine macro and microalgae. Interestingly, many marine algal peptides possess specific biological properties due to these potential components having health-promoting effects. Therefore, this review will provide an overview on the protein-based research literatures from marine algae with the conditions of gaining access to peptides from parent proteins by proteolytic enzymes or fermentations. Moreover, this covers most of the proteins and protein derivatives including peptides with the range from dipeptides to poly-peptides. Specific bioactivities, including antioxidative, antihypertensive, anticoagulative, antitumor and immune-stimulative properties are also discussed. In this review, identified bioactivities and potentialities of marine algal protein sources will be discussed for future pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmeceutical applications. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.