Seaweed may be a good source of overlooked antioxidants

A study published in the Journal of Food Science shows that seaweed may be a good source of macromolecular antioxidants. Seaweeds are rich in different bioactive compounds with potential uses in drugs, cosmetics, and the food industry. In this study, researchers wanted to analyze macromolecular antioxidants or non-extractable polyphenols in several edible seaweed species collected in Chile. Macromolecular antioxidants, commonly ignored in studies of bioactive compounds, are associated with insoluble dietary fiber and exhibit significant biological activity, with specific features that are different from those of both dietary fiber and extractable polyphenols.

The researchers also evaluated extractable polyphenols and dietary fiber, given their relationship with macromolecular antioxidants. They found that that macromolecular antioxidants are a major polyphenol fraction (averaging 42% of total polyphenol content), with hydroxycinnamic acids, hydroxybenzoic acids, and flavonols being the main constituents. This fraction also showed remarkable antioxidant capacity, as determined by two complementary assays. The dietary fiber content was more than 50% of dry weight, with some samples exhibiting the target proportionality between soluble and insoluble dietary fiber for adequate nutrition.

The researchers concluded that “Given the nutritional interest of these compounds, the consumption of these seaweeds might be promoted within the frame of a healthy diet and they can also be used as sources of macromolecular antioxidants and dietary fiber for the production of new ingredients.”

Abstract