Abstract
Marine edible macroalgae have functional proprieties that might improve human health and wellbeing. Lipids represent a minor fraction of macroalgae, yet with major interest as main carriers of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and intrinsic bioactive properties. In this study, we used lipid extracts from the green macroalgaeUlva rigidaandCodium tomentosum; the redGracilaria gracilis,Palmaria palmataandPorphyra dioica;and the brownFucus vesiculosus, produced in a land-based integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA) system. We determined the lipid quality indices based on their fatty acid profiles and their bioactivities as putative antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative agents. The results reveal to be species-specific, namelyU. rigidadisplayed the lowest atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices.Palmaria palmataandF. vesiculosuslipid extracts displayed the lowest inhibitory concentration in the free radical scavenging antioxidant assays.Ulva rigida, C. tomentosum, P. palmataandP. dioicainhibited COX-2 activity by up to 80%, whileP. dioicaandP. palmataextracts showed the highest cytotoxic potential in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This work enhances the valorization of macroalgae as functional foods and promising ingredients for sustainable and healthy diets and fosters new applications of high-valued algal biomass, in a species-specific context.
