Seaweeds Metabolites: Characterization and Applications as Phyco-Nutraceuticals

For decades, it has been evidenced that seaweeds are used as part of the human diet in many parts of the world. Across the globe, it has been investigated and accepted that seaweeds are rich source of diverse bioactive compounds and can be used as functional foods. These bioactive compounds or metabolites are derived in the form of peptides, polysaccharides, fatty acids, pigments and polyphenols. They have various bioactive properties like anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidants and anti-diabetic. Further, these findings were noticed by pharmaceutical industries that seaweeds can be employed as nutraceuticals for various human ailments. Environmental factors contribute to maximum diversification in the production of metabolites; therefore, there is a need to develop a better understanding of the functional importance of novel metabolites through screening. Several modern analytical tools have been used to elucidate the functionality and characterisation of the metabolic network. This study of metabolic network regulation forms the newly emerging field regarded as metabolomics. This chapter highlights various types of metabolites in seaweeds as phyco-nutraceuticals. Also, various techniques have been discussed to characterize and profile seaweed-derived metabolites. The chapter also emphasises the seaweed-derived bioactive compounds' potential and economic importance

Keywords: Characterization, Functional Food, Metabolites, Proximate Analysis, Phyco-Nutraceuticals, Seaweed-Proteins, Seagrass.