Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
7007979
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Bioactive and nutritional potential of Alaria esculenta and Saccharina latissima
Author(s)
Afonso, C; Castanheira, I; Bandarra, NM; Matos, J; Guarda, I; Gomes-Bispo, A; Gomes, R; Cardoso, C; Gueifao, S; Delgado, I; Coelho, I; ,
Year
2020
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Journal of Applied Phycology
ISSN:
0921-8971
EISSN:
1573-5176
Publisher
SPRINGER
Location
DORDRECHT
DOI
10.1007/s10811-020-02298-8
Web of Science Id
WOS:000586341500004
Abstract
The brown seaweed species Alaria esculenta and Saccharina latissima are commercial edible resources in Norway. There are knowledge gaps regarding these species. Accordingly, they were characterized and their bioactivity and bioaccessibility evaluated. The fatty acid (FA) analysis revealed an omega-3/omega-6 ratio of almost 2 in A. esculenta vs 1 in S. latissima. The FAs 18:4 omega-3 (stearidonic acid) and 20:5 omega-3 (eicosapentaenoic acid) were the main contributors to the relative omega-3 polyunsaturated FA richness in A. esculenta. This seaweed was also rich in fucoxanthin (66.1 +/- 20.1 mg (100 g)(-1) dw), representing approximately 4.1% of the total lipids. Hence, this species may be a source of natural fucoxanthin. Anti-inflammatory activity was significantly stronger (p < 0.001) in the ethanolic than in the aqueous extracts of the algal biomass, 48.3-60.4% vs 18.2-38.6% cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. In the bioaccessible fraction of both species, phenolic content and antioxidant activity were low. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory capacity was largely lost in this fraction, especially in the case of S. latissima. Regarding elemental composition, there were no large differences between the two brown seaweed species, being As levels high (53.11-58.93 mg kg(-1) dw). However, this As is mostly organic and accordingly poses a lower risk to human health. The I content was high, especially in S. latissima, 2829 +/- 58 mg kg(-1) dw (557 +/- 17 mg kg(-1) dw in A. esculenta). Taking into account I levels, only 0.05 g and 0.39 g of S. latissima per day (based on I levels before digestion) are enough to reach I DRI and I TUIL, respectively, or 0.07 g and 0.57 g per day (based on I levels after digestion), for I DRI and I TUIL, respectively. The attained results point to an untapped potential regarding development of functional foods and other products with high-added value-particularly in the case of A. esculenta.
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity