ABSTRACT

The marine, photosynthetic plants in the sea represent the foundation of the marine food web. The oceans occupy 70% of the Earth's surface and marine plants are known to provide at least the same percentage of the available oxygen through photosynthesis. These plants are largely represented by seaweeds, macroscopic forms largely inhabiting the shallow-water coastal zones. Among the marine plants, the seaweeds or macroalgae are used for many purposes, such as in the food industry, animal feeding, medicine, the cosmetic industry, and for soil enrichment. Mangrove extracts can be possible sources of mosquito larvicides; may have antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, and antidiabetic compounds; and also show analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and aphrodisiac properties. Seagrasses have been used as food, medicine, fertilizer, and livestock feed. The high amount of chlorophylls and carotenoids in seagrasses is beneficial, as these can act as vitamins and antioxidants. The coastal sand dune plants possess many useful bioactive compounds of pharmaceutical importance.