Marine-Sourced Functional Food Ingredients: Structure, Function and Health Benefits

A special issue of Marine Drugs (ISSN 1660-3397). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine-Derived Ingredients for Drugs, Cosmeceuticals and Nutraceuticals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 20310

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Food Chemistry—Technology and Quality of Food of Animal Origin, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, School of the Environment, University of the Aegean, Metropolite Ioakeim 2, 81400 Myrina, Lemnos, Greece
Interests: animal food quality and technology; functional marine food; fish lipids
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The significance of marine-sourced functional food ingredients has been attributed to health promotion and/or disease risk reduction. This fact underlines the necessity of knowledge regarding their mechanism of action.

The aim of the current Special Issue is to present Marine-sourced Functional Food Ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, protein hydrolysates, polysaccharides, carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds, enzymes, etc., regarding their structure, function, and health benefits.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and comprehensive reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Fish, marine mammals and marine-derived fungi and algae omega-3 fatty acids; protein hydrolysates; chitosan; carotenoids; and enzymes.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Constantina Nasopoulou
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • fish
  • marine mammals
  • marine-derived fungi and algae
  • omega-3 fatty
  • protein hydrolysates
  • chitosan
  • carotenoids
  • enzymes

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 15384 KiB  
Article
Ethanol Extract of Limonium bicolor Improves Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis by Alleviating Inflammation and Restoring Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Mice
by Wei Jia, Siyu Yu, Xi Liu, Qingqing Le, Xiwen He, Lutao Yu, Jianlin He, Longhe Yang and Huiyuan Gao
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(4), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22040175 - 15 Apr 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2029
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a kind of inflammatory bowel condition characterized by inflammation within the mucous membrane, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and pain experienced in the abdominal region. Existing medications for UC have limited treatment efficacy and primarily focus on symptom relief. Limonium bicolor [...] Read more.
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a kind of inflammatory bowel condition characterized by inflammation within the mucous membrane, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and pain experienced in the abdominal region. Existing medications for UC have limited treatment efficacy and primarily focus on symptom relief. Limonium bicolor (LB), an aquatic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), exerts multi-targeted therapeutic effects with few side effects and is used to treat anemia and hemostasis. Nevertheless, the impact of LB on UC and its mechanism of action remain unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action of ethanol extract of LB (LBE) in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced UC. The results showed that LBE suppressed the secretion of cytokines in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. LBE had protective effects against DSS-induced colitis in mice, decreased the disease activity index (DAI) score, alleviated symptoms, increased colon length, and improved histological characteristics, thus having protective effects against DSS-induced colitis in mice. In addition, it reversed disturbances in the abundance of proteobacteria and probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Blautia in mice with DSS-induced UC. Based on the results of network pharmacology analysis, we identified four main compounds in LBE that are associated with five inflammatory genes (Ptgs2, Plg, Ppar-γ, F2, and Gpr35). These results improve comprehension of the biological activity and functionality of LB and may facilitate the development of LB-based compounds for the treatment of UC. Full article
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17 pages, 1108 KiB  
Article
Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Astaxanthin from Shrimp By-Products Using Vegetable Oils
by Ioannis Panagiotakopoulos, Haralabos C. Karantonis, Ioannis Geraris Kartelias and Constantina Nasopoulou
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(9), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21090467 - 25 Aug 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
Background: The use of conventional astaxanthin extraction methods, typically involving organic solvents, leads to a heightened environmental impact. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of environmentally friendly extraction solvents, such as vegetable oils, for recovering the shrimp by-product [...] Read more.
Background: The use of conventional astaxanthin extraction methods, typically involving organic solvents, leads to a heightened environmental impact. The aim of this study was to explore the potential use of environmentally friendly extraction solvents, such as vegetable oils, for recovering the shrimp by-product astaxanthin. Methods: Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) in vegetable oils, including olive oil (OO), sunflower oil (SO), and flaxseed oil (FO), was employed to extract astaxanthin. The astaxanthin antioxidant activity was evaluated using an ABTS assay, and a mixture of gum Arabic and soy lecithin was used to form coacervates to produce astaxanthin encapsulation. Results: A by-product–vegetable oil ratio of 1:60, extraction time of 210 min, 60% amplitude of the extraction process, and the use of OO as the extracting medium resulted in an astaxanthin yield of 235 ± 4.07 μg astaxanthin/g by-products. The astaxanthin encapsulation efficiency on day 0 and astaxanthin recovery on day 1 were recorded at 66.6 ± 2.7% and 94.4 ± 4.6%, respectively. Conclusions: The utilization of OO as an extraction solvent for astaxanthin from shrimp by-products in UAE represents a novel and promising approach to reducing the environmental impact of shrimp by-products. The effective astaxanthin encapsulation efficiency highlights its potential application in food industries. Full article
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13 pages, 5708 KiB  
Article
Fish-Derived Protein Hydrolysates Increase Insulin Sensitivity and Alter Intestinal Microbiome in High-Fat-Induced Obese Mice
by Maria G. Daskalaki, Konstantinos Axarlis, Antiopi Tsoureki, Sofia Michailidou, Christina Efraimoglou, Ioanna Lapi, Ourania Kolliniati, Eirini Dermitzaki, Maria Venihaki, Katerina Kousoulaki, Anagnostis Argiriou and Christos Tsatsanis
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(6), 343; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21060343 - 2 Jun 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2549
Abstract
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation and glucose intolerance, which can be partially controlled with nutritional interventions. Protein-containing nutritional supplements possess health-promoting benefits. Herein, we examined the effect of dietary supplementation with protein hydrolysates derived from fish sidestreams [...] Read more.
Obesity and type 2 diabetes are characterized by low-grade systemic inflammation and glucose intolerance, which can be partially controlled with nutritional interventions. Protein-containing nutritional supplements possess health-promoting benefits. Herein, we examined the effect of dietary supplementation with protein hydrolysates derived from fish sidestreams on obesity and diabetes, utilizing a mouse model of High-Fat Diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes. We examined the effect of protein hydrolysates from salmon and mackerel backbone (HSB and HMB, respectively), salmon and mackerel heads (HSH and HMH, respectively), and fish collagen. The results showed that none of the dietary supplements affected weight gain, but HSH partially suppressed glucose intolerance, while HMB and HMH suppressed leptin increase in the adipose tissue. We further analyzed the gut microbiome, which contributes to the metabolic disease implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes, and found that supplementation with selected protein hydrolysates resulted in distinct changes in gut microbiome composition. The most prominent changes occurred when the diet was supplemented with fish collagen since it increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and restricted the presence of harmful ones. Overall, the results suggest that protein hydrolysates derived from fish sidestreams can be utilized as dietary supplements with significant health benefits in the context of type 2 diabetes and diet-induced changes in the gut microbiome. Full article
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Review

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36 pages, 717 KiB  
Review
Therapeutic Potentials of Microalgae and Their Bioactive Compounds on Diabetes Mellitus
by Kartthigeen Tamel Selvan, Jo Aan Goon, Suzana Makpol and Jen Kit Tan
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(9), 462; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21090462 - 23 Aug 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5493
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. There has been a growing interest in applying natural products [...] Read more.
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia due to impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or both. Oxidative stress and chronic low-grade inflammation play crucial roles in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus. There has been a growing interest in applying natural products to improve metabolic derangements without the side effects of anti-diabetic drugs. Microalgae biomass or extract and their bioactive compounds have been applied as nutraceuticals or additives in food products and health supplements. Several studies have demonstrated the therapeutic effects of microalgae and their bioactive compounds in improving insulin sensitivity attributed to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and pancreatic β-cell protective properties. However, a review summarizing the progression in this topic is lacking despite the increasing number of studies reporting their anti-diabetic potential. In this review, we gathered the findings from in vitro, in vivo, and human studies to discuss the effects of microalgae and their bioactive compounds on diabetes mellitus and the mechanisms involved. Additionally, we discuss the limitations and future perspectives of developing microalgae-based compounds as a health supplement for diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, microalgae-based supplementation has the potential to improve diabetes mellitus and be applied in more clinical studies in the future. Full article
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18 pages, 2487 KiB  
Review
The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Sarcopenia: Mechanism of Action and Potential Efficacy
by Atiporn Therdyothin, Nacharin Phiphopthatsanee and Masoud Isanejad
Mar. Drugs 2023, 21(7), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/md21070399 - 13 Jul 2023
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 6902
Abstract
Sarcopenia, a progressive disease characterized by a decline in muscle strength, quality, and mass, affects aging population worldwide, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Besides resistance exercise, various nutritional strategies, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation, have been sought to prevent [...] Read more.
Sarcopenia, a progressive disease characterized by a decline in muscle strength, quality, and mass, affects aging population worldwide, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. Besides resistance exercise, various nutritional strategies, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation, have been sought to prevent this condition. This narrative review summarizes the current evidence on the effect and mechanism of n-3 PUFA on musculoskeletal health. Despite conflicting evidence, n-3 PUFA is suggested to benefit muscle mass and volume, with more evident effects with higher supplementation dose (>2 g/day). n-3 PUFA supplementation likely improves handgrip and quadriceps strength in the elderly. Improved muscle functions, measured by walking speed and time-up-to-go test, are also observed, especially with longer duration of supplementation (>6 months), although the changes are small and unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Lastly, n-3 PUFA supplementation may positively affect muscle protein synthesis response to anabolic stimuli, alleviating age-related anabolic resistance. Proposed mechanisms by which n-3 PUFA supplementation improves muscle health include 1. anti-inflammatory properties, 2. augmented expression of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway, 3. decreased intracellular protein breakdown, 4. improved mitochondrial biogenesis and function, 5. enhanced amino acid transport, and 6. modulation of neuromuscular junction activity. In conclusion, n-3 PUFAs likely improve musculoskeletal health related to sarcopenia, with suggestive effect on muscle mass, strength, physical performance, and muscle protein synthesis. However, the interpretation of the findings is limited by the small number of participants, heterogeneity of supplementation regimens, and different measuring protocols. Full article
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