Cited by 421Seaweed-derived Bioactive CompoundsMicrobial Metabolites in Food BiotechnologyGut microbiota and health

Prebiotics from marine macroalgae for human and animal health applications

Open access
O’Sullivan, Laurie, Murphy, Brian, McLoughlin, Peter, Duggan, Patrick, Lawlor, Peadar G., Hughes, Helen, Gardiner, Gillian E.·2010·Marine Drugs

Abstract

The marine environment is an untapped source of bioactive compounds. Specifically, marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are rich in polysaccharides that could potentially be exploited as prebiotic functional ingredients for both human and animal health applications. Prebiotics are non-digestible, selectively fermented compounds that stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial gut microbiota which, in turn, confer health benefits on the host. This review will introduce the concept and potential applications of prebiotics, followed by an outline of the chemistry of seaweed polysaccharides. Their potential for use as prebiotics for both humans and animals will be highlighted by reviewing data from both in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to date.

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Crossref · 10.3390/md8072038

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  • Agarose hydrolysates (NAOS) increase bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in mice and lower Bacteroides compared to FOS controls.

    “Similar increases were observed by [138] in mice fed with diets supplemented with agarose hydrolysates (NAOS). Moreover, a lower number of Bacteroides compared to the controls fed with FOS, were observed [135].”
  • Molecular methods such as FISH, PCR, DGGE and 16S rRNA gene sequencing provide a complete representation of the in vitro effect of prebiotic candidates from seaweeds on modulation of intestinal microbiota by increasing beneficial bacteria and decreasing prejudicial microorganisms.

    “Using molecular methods such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), polymerase chain reaction (PCR), denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing provides a complete representation of the in vitro effect of prebiotic candidates from seaweeds on the modulation of intestinal microbiota by increasing the amount of beneficial bacteria and decreasing prejudicial”
  • Laminarin is uncharged at neutral pH, stabilized by inter-chain hydrogen bonds, resistant to hydrolysis in the upper gastrointestinal tract, and classified as dietary fiber.

    “They are uncharged molecules at neutral pH which are stabilized by inter-chain hydrogen bonds, thus unable to hydrolyse in the upper gastrointestinal tract and are classified as dietary fibers”

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. [34]Rinaudo M Kamerling JP Comprehensive Glycoscience Seaweed Polysaccharides Elsevier Amsterdam, The Netherland 2007 2
  2. [36]Graham LE Wilcox LW Algae 1st ed Prentice Hall Upper Saddle River, NJ, USA 2000

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Authors
O’Sullivan, L., Murphy, B., McLoughlin, P., Duggan, P., Lawlor, P. G., Hughes, H., & Gardiner, G. E.
Affiliations
  • Waterford Institute of Technology (IE)
  • Teagasc - The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority (IE)
Corresponding author
  • O’Sullivan, Laurie
  • Hughes, Helen
Venue
Marine Drugs
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2010-07-01
Volume
8
Issue
7
Pages
2038-2064
ISSN
1660-3397 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2083982708
Cited by
421
References
87
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 24 · 2024: 26 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 33 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 34 · 2018: 33 · 2017: 28 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 35 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 20
FWCI
3.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Marine Drugs (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Lenus, The Irish Health Repository (Dr Steevens Hospital Library) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Microbial Metabolites in Food Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
Keywords
prebiotics, seaweed, seaweed polysaccharides, gut microbiota, human health, animal health, functional food ingredients, prebiotic chemistry, bioactive compounds
MeSH terms
Animals, Fermentation, Humans, Polysaccharides, Seaweed, Gastrointestinal Tract, Prebiotics

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