ABSTRACT
Marine macroalgae have been consumed as feed and food for centuries, mainly in East Asian countries. Accordingly, epidemiological studies highlighted a linkage between marine macroalgae consumption and lower incidence of diet-related disorders, such as osteoporosis, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and related cardiovascular disorders, or cancer. For this reason, marine macroalgae have been currently defended as functional foods or ingredients. One of the reported beneficial properties is related with the ability to protect the DNA molecule. Indeed, marine macroalgae have been continually described to possess antioxidant activity, showing also 288antigenotoxic, antimutagenic and antiproliferative actions. The beneficial properties of macroalgae towards the integrity of DNA have been linked to their rich and diverse phytochemical composition. Particularly, sulfated polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, pigments, minerals, vitamins, phlorotannins, as well as mycosporine-like amino acids have been associated with those properties. Moreover, the phytochemical profile of macroalgae, and respective bioactive properties, is known to vary due to growing conditions. In this sense, algal farming arises as a controlled and secure growing system and with potential to develop specimens showing higher genoprotective properties.
