Seaweed fermentation within the fields of food and natural products

Reboleira, J., Silva, S., Chatzifragkou, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9255-7871, Niranjan, K. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6525-1543 and Limos, M. F. L. (2021) Seaweed fermentation within the fields of food and natural products. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 116. pp. 1056-1073. ISSN 0924-2244 doi: 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.08.018

Abstract/Summary

Background: Seaweeds are promising substrates for biotransformation via fermentation, something that has been primarily utilized by the field of biofuels but focused less attention from other fields of research.. Considering that the fermentation of abundant land resources has become an important means by which new added-value compounds can be obtained, exploring the same process for seaweeds can contribute to an effective and sustainable exploitation of marine resources. Scope and approach In this review, recent advances demonstrating the potential behind the fermentation of seaweeds are evaluated. A breakdown of the most relevant seaweed compounds and their effect on potential bioprocesses is presented, along with pre-processing techniques that have become popular in biofuel fermentations. The applications of seaweed fermentation products in the fields of natural product research, functional foods and nutraceuticals, as well as the limitations and opportunities of seaweed fermentation are also highlighted. Key findings and conclusions Research revealing that seaweed fermentation can be used to create novel food and nutraceutical products that demonstrate high bioactivity and sensory quality was presented. The studies included demonstrate the use of this process in algal tissues and extracts as an enhancer of antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic activities, among others. Many of the difficulties related to fermenting seaweed have been addressed by research within the field of biofuels, providing insight on the conditions and pre-treatments necessary to improve seaweed fermentability. Food applications for seaweed fermentation products are still underdeveloped, but the nutritional, sensory and bioactive profiles collected so far highly encourage further developments.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/100210
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Life Sciences > School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy > Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences > Food Research Group
Publisher	Elsevier
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