Journal article
Macroalgal Bloom Biomass as a Source of Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Peptides
Marine drugs, Vol.24(4), pp.1-18
15/04/2026
PMCID: PMC13117321
PMID: 42042211
Appears in Recent Faculty of Health Publications
Metrics
1 Record Views
Abstract
Macroalgal species are widely distributed throughout the world’s oceans and are well recognised for their biotechnological, ecological, and pharmacological potentials, containing a wide range of diverse bioactive compounds. In many coastal habitats worldwide, excessive accumulations of algal biomass (including rapidly growing blooms and drift accumulations resulting from dislodgement from benthic habitats) are commonplace and can pose environmental and economic challenges. In this study, we report occurrences of algal blooms and drift accumulations during 2024 and 2025 involving three major macroalgal clades, Chlorophyta, Phaeophyceae, and Rhodophyta, from two distinct marine regions: the North Atlantic Ocean and the South Pacific Ocean. Species identified included Grateloupia turuturu, Polyides rotundus, Ascophyllum nodosum, Ulva spp., Sargassum spp. and Fucus spp., among others. The indicated species are known for their diverse pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Specialised bioinformatic tools were employed to assess the potential of identified macroalgae as a source of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). For selected macroalgal species, in silico screening of publicly available databases was performed to identify previously reported and characterised AMPs associated with these species. This in silico approach presents a promising strategy for discovering novel antimicrobial agents with potential activity, especially against drug-resistant bacteria. Finally, applying proteomics methodologies for in silico evaluation of the selected algal species advances modern technologies for the sustainable use of natural resources.
Details
- Title
- Macroalgal Bloom Biomass as a Source of Bioactive Compounds and Antimicrobial Peptides
- Creators
- Nedeljka Rosic - Southern Cross UniversityIsidora Skrlin - The University of QueenslandCarol Thornber - University of Massachusetts Boston
- Publication Details
- Marine drugs, Vol.24(4), pp.1-18
- Publisher
- MDPI AG; BASEL
- Grant note
- This work was supported by a Southern Cross University, Faculty of Health, Visiting Researcher Fund to Nedeljka Rosic.
- Identifiers
- 991013373632602368
- Copyright
- © 2026 by the authors.
- Academic Unit
- Human Sciences; Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article