The Quest for Phenolic Compounds from Macroalgae: A Review of Extraction and Identification Methodologies

authors	Santos, SAO; Felix, R; Pais, ACS; Rocha, SM; Silvestre, AJD
nationality	International
journal	BIOMOLECULES
author keywords	bioactive compounds; extraction; characterization; macroalgae; phenolic compounds; phlorotannins; mass spectrometry; seaweed
keywords	SUPERCRITICAL-FLUID EXTRACTION; EDIBLE BROWN ALGA; MICROWAVE-ASSISTED EXTRACTION; MOLECULAR-WEIGHT POLYPHLOROGLUCINOLS; PRESSURIZED LIQUID EXTRACTION; SEAWEED HIMANTHALIA-ELONGATA; DEEP EUTECTIC SOLVENTS; FUCUS-VESICULOSUS L; ASCOPHYLLUM-NODOSUM; ECKLONIA-CAVA
abstract	The current interest of the scientific community for the exploitation of high-value compounds from macroalgae is related to the increasing knowledge of their biological activities and health benefits. Macroalgae phenolic compounds, particularly phlorotannins, have gained particular attention due to their specific bioactivities, including antioxidant, antiproliferative, or antidiabetic. Notwithstanding, the characterization of macroalgae phenolic compounds is a multi-step task, with high challenges associated with their isolation and characterization, due to the highly complex and polysaccharide-rich matrix of macroalgae. Therefore, this fraction is far from being fully explored. In fact, a critical revision of the extraction and characterization methodologies already used in the analysis of phenolic compounds from macroalgae is lacking in the literature, and it is of uttermost importance to compile validated methodologies and discourage misleading practices. The aim of this review is to discuss the state-of-the-art of phenolic compounds already identified in green, red, and brown macroalgae, reviewing their structural classification, as well as critically discussing extraction methodologies, chromatographic separation techniques, and the analytical strategies for their characterization, including information about structural identification techniques and key spectroscopic profiles. For the first time, mass spectrometry data of phlorotannins, a chemical family quite exclusive of macroalgae, is compiled and discussed.
publisher	MDPI
isbn	2218-273X
year published	2019
volume	9
issue	12
digital object identifier (doi)	10.3390/biom9120847
web of science category	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
subject category	Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
unique article identifier	WOS:000506636800096