ABSTRACT
Algal biomass is currently recognized as a potential source of unique and valuable metabolites with particular emphasis on marine subtypes. Stressful marine conditions provoke the production of secondary metabolites with unique biological activities. Brown algae (Phaeophyta) represents one of the three major classes of marine algae characterized by a high concentration of the brown pigment fucoxanthin. The presence of macro- and micronutrients in marine brown algae has led to its recognition as a potential food source for centuries, especially for coastal communities. Besides its nutritional value, brown algae represent a rich source of primary and secondary metabolites with unique biological activities; thus, they act as a potential drug source for medicinal and cosmetic applications, besides their importance as excipients for the drug industry. Brown algal extracts have been investigated for their potential use in treating many common health problems, including diabetes, inflammation, microbial and viral infections, coagulation problems, and different kinds of cancer; their role in the cosmetic industry is due to the high content of antioxidant metabolites. Chemical investigations of different species of brown algae revealed a wide array of secondary metabolites with terpenoids, especially diterpenes, polymeric phenolics, phenolic acids, and flavonoids, differentiating brown algae from other classes of macroalgae.
