Seaweed as a source of novel nutraceuticals: sulfated polysaccharides and peptides.

Seaweeds and seaweed-derived products are underexploited marine bioresources and a source of natural ingredients for functional foods. Nutritional studies on seaweeds indicate that brown and red seaweeds possess a good nutritional quality and could be used as an alternative source of dietary fiber, protein, and minerals. Moreover, bioactive sulfated polysaccharides are the main components of soluble fiber in seaweeds and also bioactive peptides can be prepared from seaweed protein. This chapter gives an overview of the main biological properties of sulfated polysaccharides and peptides from brown and red seaweeds. Recent studies have provided evidence that sulfated polysaccharides from seaweeds can play a vital role in human health and nutrition. Besides, peptides derived from algal protein are most promising as antihypertensive agents. Further research work, especially in vivo studies, are needed in order to gain a better knowledge of the relation structure-function by which bioactive compounds from seaweeds exert their bioactivity.