A REVIEW ON MARINE ALGAE AND ITS APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The ocean is the major essential source of structurally unique natural products that are mainly present in living organisms. The essential products extracted from marine microbes and marine algae are highly analyzed areas in instinctive product research. Marine algae are the novel food with potential nutritional values used for multiple purposes in industry and medicine. They show pharmacological activities which are helpful for the invention of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, marine algae have shown to provide an abundant source of natural bioactive compounds with antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, anti-hypercholesterolemia, antibacterial, and antineoplastic properties. They produce new secondary metabolites that possess biological activities and have the potential to be developed as therapeutic agents. Macroalgal lectins, fucoidans, kainoids, and other substances have been routinely used in the research of biomedical and also have biological activities. The potential pharmaceutical, medicinal, and research applications of these compounds are discussed.