Seaweeds as source of bioactive compounds
The constituents of seaweeds are more innovative than those of many land
plants and because of their varying biological capabilities, have long
been recognized as a rich and significant natural resource of bioactive
chemicals (18, 19). Compounds from marine organisms are
pharmacologically bioactive and have shown significant effects against
various types of medical conditions (20, 21). Natural compounds obtained
from marine organisms are used in the treatment of various diseases and
disorders since ancient times (22). Red seaweeds (Kappaphycus
alvarezii ) farmed at the Western Indian Ocean marine sites have been
shown to have antioxidant and antibacterial activity against pathogenic
bacteria (23). Table 1 represents some of the bioactive
compounds from seaweeds.
Table 1: Bioactive molecules reported in seaweed extract