Antimicrobial effect of phlorotannins from marine brown algae

Food Chem Toxicol. 2012 Sep;50(9):3251-5. doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2012.06.028. Epub 2012 Jun 23.

Abstract

Marine organisms exhibit a rich chemical content that possess unique structural features as compared to terrestrial metabolites. Among marine resources, marine algae are a rich source of chemically diverse compounds with the possibility of their potential use as a novel class of artificial food ingredients and antimicrobial agents. The objective of this brief review is to identify new candidate drugs for antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogenic bacteria. Bioactive compounds derived from brown algae are discussed, namely phlorotannins, that have anti-microbial effects and therefore may be useful to explore as potential antimicrobial agents for the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Marine Biology*
  • Phaeophyceae / chemistry*
  • Tannins / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Tannins