Carotenoids from Marine Microalgae: A Valuable Natural Source for the Prevention of Chronic Diseases.
Epidemiological studies have shown a relation between antioxidants and the prevention of several chronic diseases. Microalgae are a potential novel source of bioactive molecules, including a wide range of different carotenoids that can be used as nutraceuticals, food supplements and novel food products. The objective of this review is (i) to update the research that has been carried out on the most known carotenoids produced by marine microalgae, including reporting on their high potentialities to produce other less known important compounds; (ii) to compile the work that has been done in order to establish some relationship between carotenoids and oxidative protection and treatment; (iii) to summarize the association of oxidative stress and the various reactive species including free radicals with several human diseases; and (iv) to provide evidence of the potential of carotenoids from marine microalgae to be used as therapeutics to treat or prevent these oxidative stress-related diseases.
CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Porto 4202-401, Portugal. fraposo@porto.ucp.pt.
Maria Filomena de Jesus
MF
Raposo
CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Porto 4202-401, Portugal. abmorais@porto.ucp.pt.
Alcina Maria Miranda Bernardo
AM
de Morais
CBQF-Centro de Biotecnologia e Química Fina-Laboratório Associado, Escola Superior de Biotecnologia, Universidade Católica Portuguesa/Porto, Rua Arquiteto Lobão Vital, Porto 4202-401, Portugal. rcmorais@porto.ucp.pt.
Rui Manuel Santos Costa
RM
de Morais
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001688:Biological Products / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D058086:Microalgae / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D001688:Biological Products; D002338:Carotenoids
RNS; ROS; aging; astaxanthin; carotenoids; chronic diseases; free radicals; fucoxanthin; inflammatory diseases; marine microalga; oxidative stress; β-carotene