Marine-Based Bioactive Compounds in Healthcare and Wellness Industries
摘要
The marine ecosystem covers more than half of the global biota, holding both significant economic and scientific promise for the healthcare and wellness industries. A wide range of marine-based bioactive compounds has been isolated-produced from fish, invertebrates, algae, and microorganisms. This beneficial bioactive spectrum includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticancer, immunostimulatory, hypocholesterolemia, and cardioprotective properties, among others. These properties make marine bioactive compounds potentially novel for drug formulations in the pharmaceutical field and have also become components in nutraceuticals and functional foods. In this regard, the marine ecosystem is emerging as a valuable resource for the healthcare and wellness industries. However, despite the multiple health benefits, marine-based bioactive compounds face underutilization and several challenges. Their exploration and identification are lengthy and involve processes such as sampling, screening, purification, and structural and functional characterization, which can be improved by metagenomic and metabolomic techniques. Consequently, their production and recovery could be limited by marine sources availability, seasonal fluctuations, and the high costs associated with extraction and purification. As an alternative, a sustainable approach involves the valorization of marine waste, residues, and by-products into bioactive compounds, addressing the environmental concerns linked to the disposal of these materials. However, to optimize both human and economic benefits derived from the marine environment, sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective production and recovery methods are crucial to achieve a large-scale commercial application. In this context, this chapter outlines the current industrial-scale production methods, highlighting health and wellness industry players.