Journal of Oceanography and Marine Research
Open Access

Abstract

Cosmeceuticals Derived from Bioactive Substances Found in Marine Algae

Snezana Agatonovic-Kustrin and David W Morton

Among marine organisms, marine algae are rich sources of structurally diverse bioactive compounds with various biological activities. Algae are widespread everywhere on earth where there is light to carry out photosynthesis and have the potential to produce a number of valuable compounds like Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFAs), pigments, and antioxidants for pharmaceuticals, biomedical and nutraceutical products. This review considers recent progress in the application of bioactive substances derived from marine algae as potential cosmeceuticals. The biological activities of terpenoids, carotenoids, tocopherol, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides (fucoidan, carrageenans, alginates and agar), unsaturated fatty acids and mycosporin-like amino acids are reported in order to evaluate their potential use in future cosmetic skin care products.