Prebiotics from Marine Macroalgae for Human and Animal Health Applications

Marine Drugs

Laurie O’Sullivan²  Brian Murphy²  Peter McLoughlin²  Patrick Duggan²  Peadar G. Lawlor¹  Helen Hughes² 

[1] Teagasc, Pig Development Unit, Moorepark Research Centre, Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland; E-Mail:;Eco-Innovation Research Centre, Department of Chemical and Life Sciences, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland; E-Mails:

关键词: marine macroalgae;    polysaccharides;    prebiotics;    human and animal health;   

DOI  :  10.3390/md8072038

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The marine environment is an untapped source of bioactive compounds. Specifically, marine macroalgae (seaweeds) are rich in polysaccharides that could potentially be exploited as prebiotic functional ingredients for both human and animal health applications. Prebiotics are non-digestible, selectively fermented compounds that stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial gut microbiota which, in turn, confer health benefits on the host. This review will introduce the concept and potential applications of prebiotics, followed by an outline of the chemistry of seaweed polysaccharides. Their potential for use as prebiotics for both humans and animals will be highlighted by reviewing data from both in vitro and in vivo studies conducted to date.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2010 by the authors; licensee Molecular Diversity Preservation International, Basel, Switzerland