Marine Algae as a New Source of Bioactive Compositionsin

Abstract

Marine algae are ecologically important and have been used as food and medicines for centuries. Numerous novel compounds have been found from seaweed with interesting pharmaceutical activities. Therefore, marine algae are believed to be a potential source to provide not only novel biologically active substances for the development of pharmaceuticals. Several bioactive metabolites produced by marine algae have been discovered by screening programs. Many of these chemical compounds are diverse range of biological activities and chemical structure which are used by bio pharmaceutical companies. Actually, seaweeds are an important source of carbohydrate, polyphenols, sterols, terpenoids, protein enzymes, fiber, lipids, vitamins including: A,B1, B2, B6, niacin and C, and are rich in iodine, potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium.