Nutraceuticals is a broad term that includes foods, food ingredients and dietary supplements that provide specific health or medical benefits in addition to the essential nutritional values found in food. Globally, more and more people are interested in the research, development and commercialization of nutritional products. Active ingredients derived from marine organisms seem to fit well with the criteria for development as nutraceuticals. Firstly, the sources of marine active ingredients are abundant and the supply is guaranteed. Secondly, the isolation or extraction of marine active ingredients is relatively cost-effective. Finally, marine active ingredients have excellent physiological effects and medicinal properties, and thus can exert a range of health benefits. With the increasing public awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of marine products, the development prospects of marine nutraceuticals will be full of hope.
Common active ingredients in marine nutraceuticals
Marine nutraceuticals are food or dietary supplements containing bioactive ingredients derived from marine organisms. Several common active ingredients and their health benefits are described below.
Carotenoids are one of the most widely distributed lipid-soluble pigments and naturally exhibit red, orange and yellow colors. Seaweeds, microalgae and Omega-3 fatty acids contain a variety of carotenoids that exhibit structural diversity. Because carotenoids (mainly β3-carotene) have a range of health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-cancer, and prevention of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, the demand for carotenoid-rich nutraceuticals has been rising.
Omega-3 fatty acids, also known as omega-3 oils, are essential polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The main omega-3 fatty acids extracted from marine fish and marine algae are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Much attention has been paid to the nutritional potential of EPA and DHA. EPA can significantly prevent diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, depression, and diabetes, while DHA is essential for the growth and development of the brain and retina. Nutraceuticals enriched with omega-3 fatty acids promise to be the key to a healthy future.
Polysaccharides are carbohydrates that usually contain more than 10 monosaccharide units. Marine organisms produce a wide variety of polysaccharides, some of which have novel properties. For example, chitin and chitosan are polymers that are highly abundant in nature and occur in the shells and exoskeletons of various marine species. They can play anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antioxidant, weight loss and diabetes prevention roles in nutraceuticals.
Bioactive peptides are low molecular weight protein fragments of 2-20 amino acid residues that exhibit beneficial effects in the body. Many bioactive peptides with potential physiological functions have been extracted from various marine organisms, such as sponges and mollusks. Bioactive peptides can be used as active ingredients in nutraceuticals and are expected to prevent or treat many chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and chronic inflammation.
What can we do?
Alfa Chemistry believes that marine active ingredients will become a source of fascination for the nutraceutical industry. As a professional marine ingredient supplier, we are committed to developing new and improved formulations for customers in the nutraceutical industry to meet industry challenges. If you have any ideas or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
