Unlocking the Health Potential of Microalgae as Sustainable Sources of Bioactive Compounds

Marine Microalgal Products with Activities against Age-Related Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and it is estimated that 17.9 million people die of it each year. The risk factors for cardiovascular diseases are attributable to an unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, stress, genetic predisposition, diabetes, obesity, and aging. Marine microalgae have been the subject of numerous studies for their potential activity against several human diseases. They produce a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites such as essential nutrients, vitamins, pigments, and omega-3 fatty acid. Many of these molecules have antioxidant properties and have been shown to play a role in the prevention of heart diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize recent studies on the discovery of marine microalgal compounds and bioactivities for cardiovascular diseases, including in vitro and in vivo studies, showing and discussing recent discoveries and trends. The most promising results were found for microalgal polysaccharides, peptides and carotenoids. In conclusion, the overall data summarized here show that microalgae-based supplementation has the potential to improve age-related cardiovascular diseases and we expect more clinical studies in the future.

Screening of Microalgae for Bioactivity with Antiviral, Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Cancer Assays

Marine microalgae are a rich reservoir of natural compounds, including bioactives. Nonetheless, these organisms remain fairly unexplored despite their potential biotechnological applications. Culture collections with diverse taxonomic groups and lifestyles are a good source to unlock this potential and discover new molecules for multiple applications such as the treatment of human pathologies or the production of aquaculture species. In the present work extracts from thirty-three strains (including twenty dinoflagellates, four diatoms and nine strains from seven other algal classes), cultivated under identical conditions, were examined for their antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Among these, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities were detected in a few strains while the antibacterial tests showed positive results in most assays. In turn, most trials did not show any anti-cancer activity. Significant differences were observed between species within the same class, in particular dinoflagellates, which were better represented in this study. These preliminary findings pave the way for an in-depth characterization of the extracts with highest signals in each test, the identification of the compounds responsible for the biological activities found and a further screening of the CCVIEO culture collection.

Marine Natural Products Rescuing the Eye: A Narrative Review

Different degrees of visual impairment lead to a decrease in patient wellbeing, which has an adverse effect on many facets of social and professional life. Eye disorders can affect several parts of the eye, most notably the retina and the cornea, and the impacted areas might share a common form of cellular damage or dysfunction (such as inflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal degeneration). Considering that marine organisms inhabit a broad variety of marine habitats, they display a great degree of chemical diversity. As a result, molecules with a marine origin are receiving more and more attention in the hopes of developing novel therapeutic approaches. For instance, fucoxanthin has been demonstrated to be effective in protecting the retina against photo-induced damage, while largazole, astaxanthin and spirulina have all shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic activities that can be useful for the management of several ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and ocular surface disorders. The aim of this review is to analyze the scientific literature relating to the therapeutic effects on the eye of the main natural marine products, focusing on their mechanism of action and potential clinical uses for the management of ocular diseases.

Lutein Production and Extraction from Microalgae: Recent Insights and Bioactive Potential

Microalgae have been reported to be excellent producers of bioactive molecules. Lutein is a pigment reported to have various beneficial effects for humans, and especially for eye well-being. In the current review, we summarize various methods that have been developed to optimize its extraction and bioactivities reported for human health. Several protective effects have been reported for lutein, including antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective activity. This review also reports attempts to increase lutein production by microalgae by changing culturing parameters or by using pilot-scale systems. Genetic engineering lutein production is also discussed. Considering the increasing aging of the worldwide population will create an increased need for lutein, a viable economic and eco-sustainable method to produce lutein is needed to face this market demand.

Development of a high-performance thin-layer chromatography-based method for targeted glycerolipidome profiling of microalgae

The conditionally essential very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLC-PUFAs), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 n-3), play a vital role in human nutrition. Their biological activity is thereby greatly influenced by the distinct glycerolipid molecule that they are esterified to. Here, microalgae differ from the conventional source, fish oil, both in quantity and distribution of VLC-PUFAs among the glycerolipidome. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a fast and reliable one-dimensional high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-based method that allows the separation and quantification of the main microalgal glycerolipid classes (e.g., monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG), sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG)), as well as the subsequent analysis of their respective fatty acid distribution via gas chromatography (GC) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS). Following optimization, method validation was carried out for 13 different lipid classes, based on the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. In HPTLC, linearity was effective between 100 and 2100 ng, with a limit of quantification between 62.99 and 90.09 ng depending on the glycerolipid class, with strong correlation coefficients (R2 > 0.995). The recovery varied between 93.17 and 108.12%, while the inter-day precision measurements showed coefficients of variation of less than 8.85%, close to the limit of detection. Applying this method to crude lipid extracts of four EPA producing microalgae of commercial interest, the content of different glycerolipid classes was assessed together with the respective FA distribution subsequent to band elution. The results showed that the described precise and accurate HPTLC method offers the possibility to be used routinely to follow variations in the glycerolipid class levels throughout strain screening, cultivation, or bioprocessing. Thus, additional quantitative analytical information on the complex lipidome of microalgae can be obtained, especially for n-3 and n-6 enriched lipid fractions.

Alexandrium spp.: From Toxicity to Potential Biotechnological Benefits

Many dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium are well known for being responsible for harmful algal blooms (HABs), producing potent toxins that cause damages to other marine organisms, aquaculture, fishery, tourism, as well as induce human intoxications and even death after consumption of contaminated shellfish or fish. In this review, we summarize potential bioprospecting associated to the genus Alexandrium, including which Alexandrium spp. produce metabolites with anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, as well as anti-Alzheimer applications. When available, we report their mechanisms of action and targets. We also discuss recent progress on the identification of secondary metabolites with biological properties favorable to human health and aquaculture. Altogether, this information highlights the importance of studying which culturing conditions induce the activation of enzymatic pathways responsible for the synthesis of bioactive metabolites. It also suggests considering and comparing clones collected in different locations for toxin monitoring and marine bioprospecting. This review can be of interest not only for the scientific community, but also for the entire population and industries.

The Clinical Promise of Microalgae in Rheumatoid Arthritis: From Natural Compounds to Recombinant Therapeutics

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an invalidating chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation and progressive bone damage. Dietary intervention is an important component in the treatment of RA to mitigate oxidative stress, a major pathogenic driver of the disease. Alongside traditional sources of antioxidants, microalgae-a diverse group of photosynthetic prokaryotes and eukaryotes-are emerging as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory food supplements. Several species accumulate therapeutic metabolites-mainly lipids and pigments-which interfere in the pro-inflammatory pathways involved in RA and other chronic inflammatory conditions. The advancement of the clinical uses of microalgae requires the continuous exploration of phytoplankton biodiversity and chemodiversity, followed by the domestication of wild strains into reliable producers of said metabolites. In addition, the tractability of microalgal genomes offers unprecedented possibilities to establish photosynthetic microbes as light-driven biofactories of heterologous immunotherapeutics. Here, we review the evidence-based anti-inflammatory mechanisms of microalgal metabolites and provide a detailed coverage of the genetic engineering strategies to enhance the yields of endogenous compounds and to develop innovative bioproducts.

CRISPR-based bioengineering in microalgae for production of industrially important biomolecules

Microalgae, as photosynthetic organisms, have the potential to produce biomolecules for use in food, feed, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, fuel, and other applications. Faster growth rates and higher protein and lipid content make microalgae a popular chassis for many industrial applications. However, challenges such as low productivity and high production costs have limited their commercialization. To overcome these challenges, bioengineering approaches such as genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology have been employed to improve the productivity and quality of microalgae-based products. Genetic engineering employing genome editing tools like CRISPR/Cas allows precise and targeted genetic modifications. CRISPR/Cas systems are presently used to modify the genetic makeup of microalgae for enhanced production of specific biomolecules. However, these tools are yet to be explored explicitly in microalgae owing to some limitations. Despite the progress made in CRISPR-based bioengineering approaches, there is still a need for further research to optimize the production of microalgae-based products. This includes improving the efficiency of genome editing tools, understanding the regulatory mechanisms of microalgal metabolism, and optimizing growth conditions and cultivation strategies. Additionally, addressing the ethical, social, and environmental concerns associated with genetic modification of microalgae is crucial for the responsible development and commercialization of microalgae-based products. This review summarizes the advancements of CRISPR-based bioengineering for production of industrially important biomolecules and provides key considerations to use CRISPR/Cas systems in microalgae. The review will help researchers to understand the progress and to initiate genome editing experiments in microalgae.

The osteogenic and mineralogenic potential of the microalgae Skeletonema costatum and Tetraselmis striata CTP4 in fish models

Skeletal disorders are problematic aspects for the aquaculture industry as skeletal deformities, which affect most species of farmed fish, increase production costs and affect fish welfare. Following recent findings that show the presence of osteoactive compounds in marine organisms, we evaluated the osteogenic and mineralogenic potential of commercially available microalgae strains Skeletonema costatum and Tetraselmis striata CTP4 in several fish systems. Ethanolic extracts increased extracellular matrix mineralization in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) bone-derived cell cultures and promoted osteoblastic differentiation in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae. Long-term dietary exposure to both extracts increased bone mineralization in zebrafish and upregulated the expression of genes involved in bone formation (sp7, col1a1a, oc1, and oc2), bone remodeling (acp5a), and antioxidant defenses (cat, sod1). Extracts also improved the skeletal status of zebrafish juveniles by reducing the incidence of skeletal anomalies. Our results indicate that both strains of microalgae contain osteogenic and mineralogenic compounds, and that ethanolic extracts have the potential for an application in the aquaculture sector as dietary supplements to support fish bone health. Future studies should also identify osteoactive compounds and establish whether they can be used in human health to broaden the therapeutic options for bone erosive disorders such as osteoporosis.

Algal nutraceuticals: A perspective on metabolic diversity, current food applications, and prospects in the field of metabolomics

The current consumers' demand for food naturalness is urging the search for new functional foods of natural origin with enhanced health-promoting properties. In this sense, algae constitute an underexplored biological source of nutraceuticals that can be used to fortify food products. Both marine macroalgae (or seaweeds) and microalgae exhibit a myriad of chemical constituents with associated features as a result of their primary and secondary metabolism. Thus, primary metabolites, especially polysaccharides and phycobiliproteins, present interesting properties to improve the rheological and nutritional properties of food matrices, whereas secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols and xanthophylls, may provide interesting bioactivities, including antioxidant or cytotoxic effects. Due to the interest in algae as a source of nutraceuticals by the food and related industries, novel strategies should be undertaken to add value to their derived functional components. As a result, metabolomics is considered a high throughput technology to get insight into the full metabolic profile of biological samples, and it opens a wide perspective in the study of algae metabolism, whose knowledge is still little explored. This review focuses on algae metabolism and its applications in the food industry, paying attention to the promising metabolomic approaches to be developed aiming at the functional characterization of these organisms.

Microbial Interactions between Marine Microalgae and Fungi: From Chemical Ecology to Biotechnological Possible Applications

Chemical interactions have been shown to regulate several marine life processes, including selection of food sources, defense, behavior, predation, and mate recognition. These chemical communication signals have effects not only at the individual scale, but also at population and community levels. This review focuses on chemical interactions between marine fungi and microalgae, summarizing studies on compounds synthetized when they are cultured together. In the current study, we also highlight possible biotechnological outcomes of the synthetized metabolites, mainly for human health applications. In addition, we discuss applications for bio-flocculation and bioremediation. Finally, we point out the necessity of further investigating microalgae-fungi chemical interactions because it is a field still less explored compared to microalga-bacteria communication and, considering the promising results obtained until now, it is worthy of further research for scientific advancement in both ecology and biotechnology fields.

Microalgae from Cold Environments and Their Possible Biotechnological Applications

Cold environments include deep ocean, alpine, and polar areas. Even if the cold conditions are harsh and extreme for certain habitats, various species have been adapted to survive in them. Microalgae are among the most abundant microbial communities which have adapted to live in low light, low temperature, and ice coverage conditions typical of cold environments by activating different stress-responsive strategies. These species have been shown to have bioactivities with possible exploitation capabilities for human applications. Even if they are less explored compared to species living in more accessible sites, various activities have been highlighted, such as antioxidant and anticancer activities. This review is focused on summarizing these bioactivities and discussing the possible exploitation of cold-adapted microalgae. Thanks to the possibility of mass cultivating algae in controlled photobioreactors, eco-sustainable exploitation is in fact possible by sampling a few microalgal cells without impacting the environment.

Transcriptome Sequencing of the Diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii and In Silico Identification of Enzymes Potentially Involved in the Synthesis of Bioactive Molecules

Microalgae produce a plethora of primary and secondary metabolites with possible applications in several market sectors, including cosmetics, human nutrition, aquaculture, biodiesel production and treatment/prevention of human diseases. Diatoms, in particular, are the most diversified microalgal group, many species of which are known to have anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Compounds responsible for these activities are often still unknown. The aim of this study was to de novo sequence the full transcriptome of two strains of the diatom Asterionellopsis thurstonii, sampled from two different locations and cultured in both control and phosphate starvation conditions. We used an RNA-sequencing approach to in silico identify transcripts potentially involved in the synthesis/degradation of compounds with anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties. We identified transcript coding for L-asparaginase I, polyketide cyclase/dehydrase, bifunctional polyketide phosphatase/kinase, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (fragment), inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase INPP5B/F, catechol O-Methyltransferase, digalactosyldiacylglycerol synthase (DGD1), 1,2-diacylglycerol-3-beta-galactosyltransferase and glycerolphosphodiester phosphodiesterase. Differential expression analysis also allowed to identify in which culturing condition these enzymes are more expressed. Overall, these data give new insights on the annotation of diatom genes, enzymatic pathways involved in the generation of bioactive molecules and possible exploitation of Asterionellopsis thurstonii.

Current Techniques of Water Solubility Improvement for Antioxidant Compounds and Their Correlation with Its Activity: Molecular Pharmaceutics

The aqueous solubility of a drug is important in the oral formulation because the drug can be absorbed from intestinal sites after being dissolved in the gastrointestinal fluid, leading to its bioavailability. Almost 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients are poorly water-soluble, including antioxidant compounds. This makes antioxidant activity inefficient in preventing disease, particularly for orally administered formulations. Although several investigations have been carried out to improve the solubility of antioxidant compounds, there is still limited research fully discussing the subject. Therefore, this study aimed to provide an overview and discussion of the issues related to the methods that have been used to improve the solubility and activity of antioxidant compounds. Articles were found using the keywords "antioxidant" and "water solubility improvement" in the Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases. The selected articles were published within the last five years to ensure all information was up-to-date with the same objectives. The most popular methods of the strategies employed were solid dispersion, co-amorphous, and nanoparticle drug delivery systems, which were used to enhance the solubility of antioxidant compounds. These investigations produced impressive results, with a detailed discussion of the mechanism of improvement in the solubility and antioxidant activity of the compounds developed. This review shows that the strategies used to increase the solubility of antioxidant compounds successfully improved their antioxidant activity with enhanced free radical scavenging abilities.

Marine Natural Products with Activities against Prostate Cancer: Recent Discoveries

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, with over 52,000 new cases diagnosed every year. Diagnostics and early treatment are potentially hindered by variations in screening protocols, still largely reliant on serum levels of acid phosphatase and prostate-specific antigen, with tumour diagnosis and grading relying on histopathological examination. Current treatment interventions vary in terms of efficacy, cost and severity of side effects, and relapse can be aggressive and resistant to the current standard of care. For these reasons, the scientific community is looking for new chemotherapeutic agents. This review reports compounds and extracts derived from marine organisms as a potential source of new drugs against prostate cancer. Whilst there are several marine-derived compounds against other cancers, such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, breast and lung cancer, already available in the market, the presently collated findings show how the marine environment can be considered to hold potential as a new drug source for prostate cancer, as well. This review presents information on compounds presently in clinical trials, as well as new compounds/extracts that may enter trials in the future. We summarise information regarding mechanisms of action and active concentrations.

The Microalga Skeletonema marinoi Induces Apoptosis and DNA Damage in K562 Cell Line by Modulating NADPH Oxidase

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative disease that activates multiple signaling pathways, causing cells to produce higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases (NOXs) are a major generator of ROS in leukemia, and marine natural products have shown promising activities for the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies. In the present study, we investigated the effect of the marine microalga Skeletonema marinoi (S.M.), a ubiquitous diatom that forms massive blooms in the oceans, on the human leukemia cell line K562. The effects of S.M. extract on cell viability, production of ROS, nitric oxide (NO), and apoptosis were examined. In this preliminary work, S.M. was able to decrease cell viability (p < 0.05) and increase apoptosis levels (p < 0.05) in K562 cells after 48 h of treatment. In addition, the levels of NOX, NO, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were reduced in K562-treated cells (p < 0.05), whereas the levels of SOD, CAT, and GPx increased during treatment (p < 0.05). Finally, analyzing Bax and Bcl-2 expression, we found a significant increase in the proapoptotic protein Bax and a sustained decrease in the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 (p < 0.05) in the K562-treated cells.

Marine Compounds for Melanoma Treatment and Prevention

Melanoma is considered a multifactorial disease etiologically divided into melanomas related to sun exposure and those that are not, but also based on their mutational signatures, anatomic site, and epidemiology. The incidence of melanoma skin cancer has been increasing over the past decades with 132,000 cases occurring globally each year. Marine organisms have been shown to be an excellent source of natural compounds with possible bioactivities for human health applications. In this review, we report marine compounds from micro- and macro-organisms with activities in vitro and in vivo against melanoma, including the compound Marizomib, isolated from a marine bacterium, currently in phase III clinical trials for melanoma. When available, we also report active concentrations, cellular targets and mechanisms of action of the mentioned molecules. In addition, compounds used for UV protection and melanoma prevention from marine sources are discussed. This paper gives an overview of promising marine molecules which can be studied more deeply before clinical trials in the near future.

The Antioxidant Activity of a Commercial and a Fractionated Phycocyanin on Human Skin Cells In Vitro

The protective effects for cells against chemical and UVA stress of a commercial phycocyanin (PC) for food use and a PC extracted from Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) in phosphate buffer were assessed. The purity of the commercial PC, spectrophotometrically estimated as A620/A280 and confirmed by HPLC, was higher than that of the fractionated PC (2.0 vs. 1.5) but was twofold less concentrated. The oxygen radical antioxidant capacities (ORACs) of the commercial and fractionated PCs were 12,141 ± 1928 and 32,680 ± 3295 TE/100 g, respectively. The degradation of PCs upon exposure to UVA was spectrophotometrically estimated, and cytotoxicity was evaluated with the MTS [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) test on human fibroblasts and keratinocytes. A lower level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was recorded in the two cell lines incubated with the commercial PC after menadione treatment (p < 0.01) and UVA exposure (p < 0.001) on fibroblasts after 5 min and keratinocytes up to 25 min, compared with controls. Differently, the fractionated PC was not protective and showed significant (p < 0.01) paradoxical prooxidant effects. Overall, the PC for food consumption demonstrated a high safety threshold and antioxidant ability to cells that, along with its coloring power, make it an excellent candidate for cosmetic formulations.

Jellyfish as an Alternative Source of Bioactive Antiproliferative Compounds

Jellyfish are commonly considered a nuisance for their negative effects on human activities (e.g., fisheries, power plants and tourism) and human health. However, jellyfish provide several benefits to humans and are commonly eaten in eastern countries. Additionally, recent studies have suggested that jellyfish may become a source of high-value molecules. In this study, we tested the effects of the methanolic extracts and enriched fractions, obtained by solid-phase extraction fractionation, from the scyphomedusae Pelagia noctiluca, Rhizostoma pulmo, Cotylorhiza tuberculata and the cubomedusa Caryddea marsupialis on different human cancer cell lines in order to evaluate a potential antiproliferative activity. Our results indicated that fraction C from Caryddea marsupialis-(CM) and C. tuberculata oral arms (CTOA) were the most active to reduce cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. LC/MS based dereplication analyses highlighted that both bioactive fractions contained mainly fatty acids and derivatives, with CM additionally containing small peptides (0.7–0.8 kDa), which might contribute to its higher biological activity. The mechanism of action behind the most active fraction was investigated using PCR arrays. Results showed that the fraction C of CM can reduce the expression of genes involved in apoptosis inhibition in melanoma-treated cells, which makes jellyfish a potential new source of antiproliferative drugs to be exploited in the future.

De Novo Transcriptome of the Flagellate Isochrysis galbana Identifies Genes Involved in the Metabolism of Antiproliferative Metabolites

Haptophytes are important primary producers in the oceans, and among the phylum Haptophyta, the flagellate Isochrysis galbana has been found to be rich in high-value compounds, such as lipids, carotenoids and highly branched polysaccharides. In the present work, I. galbana was cultured and collected at both stationary and exponential growth phases. A transcriptomic approach was used to analyze the possible activation of metabolic pathways responsible for bioactive compound synthesis at the gene level. Differential expression analysis of samples collected at the exponential versus stationary growth phase allowed the identification of genes involved in the glycerophospholipid metabolic process, the sterol biosynthetic process, ADP-ribose diphosphatase activity and others. I. galbana raw extracts and fractions were tested on specific human cancer cells for possible antiproliferative activity. The most active fractions, without affecting normal cells, were fractions enriched in nucleosides (fraction B) and triglycerides (fraction E) for algae collected in the exponential growth phase and fraction E for stationary phase samples. Overall, transcriptomic and bioactivity data confirmed the activation of metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis of bioactive compounds giving new insights on possible Isochrysis applications in the anticancer sector.

Effects of Tetraselmis chuii Microalgae Supplementation on Anthropometric, Hormonal and Hematological Parameters in Healthy Young Men: A Double-Blind Study

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tetraselmis chuii (TC) microalgae supplementation for sixty days on hematological, anthropometric and hormonal parameters in healthy young men. Forty-six men divided into a placebo group (PG; n = 16; 20.77 ± 2.7 years; 72.14 ± 7.18 kg; 1.76 ± 0.07 m), a group supplemented with 25 mg/day of TC (SG 25; n = 15; 20.40 ± 1.40 years; 71.28 ± 8.26 kg; 1.76 ± 0.05 m) and another group supplemented with 200 mg/day of TC (SG 200; n = 15; 20.83 ± 2.45 years; 72.30 ± 11.13 kg; 1.77 ± 0.08 m) participated in this double-blind study. PG ingested 200 mg/day of lactose powder. Participants underwent 4 assessments (baseline, month 1, month 2 and desadaptation) separated in time by an interval of thirty days. At SG 25 and SG 200, significant increases in percent muscle mass, erythropoietin, insulin-like growth factor 1, free testosterone, leukocytes, neutrophils and lymphocytes were observed (p < 0.05). Decreases in the levels of percent fat mass, platelets, hematocrit and mean corpuscular hemoglobin also occurred in these groups (p < 0.05). TC supplementation induced favorable changes on anthropometric, hematological and hormonal levels. In view of the data, it seems that the most effective dose was 25 mg/day of TC.

From the Sea for the Sight: Marine Derived Products for Human Vision

Visual impairment, at different degrees, produce a reduction of patient wellness which negatively impact in many aspects of working and social activities. Eye diseases can have common cellular damages or dysfunctions (e.g., inflammation, oxidative stress, neuronal degeneration), and can target several eye compartments, primarily cornea and retina. Marine organisms exhibit high chemical diversity due to the wide range of marine ecosystems where they live; thus, molecules of marine origin are gaining increasing attention for the development of new mutation-independent therapeutic strategies, to reduce the progression of retina pathologies having a multifactorial nature and characterized by high genetic heterogeneity. This review aims to describe marine natural products reported in the recent literature that showed promising therapeutic potential for the development of new drugs to be used to contrast the progression of eye pathologies. These natural compounds exhibited beneficial and protective properties on different in vitro cell systems and on in vivo models, through different mechanisms of action, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiangiogenic/vasoprotective or cytoprotective effects. We report compounds produced by several marine source (e.g., sponges, algae, shrimps) that can be administrated as food or with target-specific strategies. In addition, we describe and discuss the uses of opsin family proteins from marine organisms for the optimization of new optogenetic therapeutic strategies.

First identification and characterization of detoxifying plastic-degrading DBP hydrolases in the marine diatom Cylindrotheca closterium

Diatoms are photosynthetic organisms with potential biotechnological applications in the bioremediation sector, having shown the capacity to reduce environmental concentrations of different pollutants. The diatom Cylindrotheca closterium is known to degrade di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), one of the most abundant phthalate esters in aquatic environments and a known endocrine-disrupting chemical. In this study, we present for the first time the in silico identification of two putative DBP hydrolases (provisionally called DBPH1 and DBPH2) in the transcriptome of C. closterium. We modeled the structure of both DBPH1-2 and their proposed interactions with the substrate to gain insights into their mechanism of action. Finally, we analyzed the expression levels of the two putative hydrolases upon exposure of C. closterium to different concentrations of DBP (5 and 10 mg/l) for 24 and 48 h. The data showed a DBP concentration-dependent increase in expression levels of both dbph1 and 2 genes, further highlighting their potential involvement in phthalates degradation. This is the first identification of phthalate-degrading enzymes in microalgae, providing new insights into the possible use of diatoms in bioremediation strategies targeting phthalates.

Innovative method to grow the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri in the omega3-rich microalga Isochrysis galbana

Microalgae are natural sources of valuable bioactive compounds, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), that show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activities. The marine microalga Isochrysis galbana (I. galbana) is extremely rich in ω3 PUFAs, mainly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Probiotics are currently suggested as adjuvant therapy in the management of diseases associated with gut dysbiosis. The Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri), one of the most widely used probiotics, has been shown to produce multiple beneficial effects on host health. The present study aimed to present an innovative method for growing the probiotic L. reuteri in the raw seaweed extracts from I. galbana as an alternative to the conventional medium, under conditions of oxygen deprivation (anaerobiosis). As a result, the microalga I. galbana was shown for the first time to be an excellent culture medium for growing L. reuteri. Furthermore, the gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry analysis showed that the microalga-derived ω3 PUFAs were still available after the fermentation by L. reuteri. Accordingly, the fermented compound (FC), obtained from the growth of L. reuteri in I. galbana in anaerobiosis, was able to significantly reduce the adhesiveness and invasiveness of the harmful adherent-invasive Escherichia coli to intestinal epithelial cells, due to a cooperative effect between L. reuteri and microalgae-released ω3 PUFAs. These findings open new perspectives in the use of unicellular microalgae as growth medium for probiotics and in the production of biofunctional compounds.

Potential Approaches Versus Approved or Developing Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Therapy

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have revolutionized the treatment of patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, continued use of these inhibitors has contributed to the increase in clinical resistance and the persistence of resistant leukemic stem cells (LSCs). So, there is an urgent need to introduce additional targeted and selective therapies to eradicate quiescent LSCs, and to avoid the relapse and disease progression. Here, we focused on emerging BCR-ABL targeted and non-BCR-ABL targeted drugs employed in clinical trials and on alternative CML treatments, including antioxidants, oncolytic virus, engineered exosomes, and natural products obtained from marine organisms that could pave the way for new therapeutic approaches for CML patients.

From Past to Present: Biotechnology in Mexico Using Algae and Fungi

Algae and fungi share a rich history in the fields of basic and applied natural science. In biotechnology, in particular, algae and fungi are of paramount importance, due to the production and development of valuable compounds, such as pharmaceuticals, enzymes, and biofuels. They are also used in waste fermentation, biocontrol of pathogens, and food processing and improvement, among other fields. Although a substantial number of different microorganisms are utilized for these purposes, there lies tremendous potential in uncharacterized microbial species. For this reason, biodiversity hotspots offer a wealth of potential in the discovery of new products and processing strategies based on these microorganisms. This review presents an overview of the use of algae and fungi in pre-Hispanic times/modern-day Mexico for the benefits of mankind. One of our objectives is to raise awareness about the potential of developing research projects for identification and biotechnological utilization of algae and fungi in a megadiverse country, such as Mexico.

First Report of OvoA Gene in Marine Arthropods: A New Candidate Stress Biomarker in Copepods

Ovothiol is one of the most powerful antioxidants acting in marine organisms as a defense against oxidative stress during development and in response to environmental cues. The gene involved in the ovothiol biosynthesis, OvoA, is found in almost all metazoans, but open questions existed on its presence among arthropods. Here, using an in silico workflow, we report a single OvoA gene in marine arthropods including copepods, decapods, and amphipods. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that OvoA from marine arthropods separated from the other marine phyla (e.g., Porifera, Mollusca) and divided into two separate branches, suggesting a possible divergence through evolution. In the copepod Calanus finmarchicus, we suggest that OvoA has a defense role in oxidative stress as shown by its high expression in response to a toxic diet and during the copepodite stage, a developmental stage that includes significant morphological changes. Overall, the results of our study open possibilities for the use of OvoA as a biomarker of stress in copepods and possibly also for other marine holozooplankters. The finding of OvoA in copepods is also promising for the drug discovery field, suggesting the possibility of using copepods as a new source of bioactive compounds to be tested in the marine biotechnological sector.

Promising Activities of Marine Natural Products against Hematopoietic Malignancies

According to the WHO classification of tumors, more than 150 typologies of hematopoietic and lymphoid tumors exist, and most of them remain incurable diseases that require innovative approaches to improve therapeutic outcome and avoid side effects. Marine organisms represent a reservoir of novel bioactive metabolites, but they are still less studied compared to their terrestrial counterparts. This review is focused on marine natural products with anticancer activity against hematological tumors, highlighting recent advances and possible perspectives. Until now, there are five commercially available marine-derived compounds for the treatment of various hematopoietic cancers (e.g., leukemia and lymphoma), two molecules in clinical trials, and series of compounds and/or extracts from marine micro- and macroorganisms which have shown promising properties. In addition, the mechanisms of action of several active compounds and extracts are still unknown and require further study. The continuous upgrading of omics technologies has also allowed identifying enzymes with possible bioactivity (e.g., l-asparaginase is currently used for the treatment of leukemia) or the enzymes involved in the synthesis of bioactive secondary metabolites which can be the target of heterologous expression and genetic engineering.