Chemical Investigations of Marine Algal Secondary Metabolites

The chemical exploration of marine algal secondary metabolites has revealed a remarkable array of structurally diverse small molecules, notably terpenoids, polyethers, acetogenins and halogenated compounds. Extraction of algal biomass, followed by chromatographic separation and detailed spectroscopic characterisation using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), remains central to isolating new natural products. Advances in molecular networking and dereplication tools have accelerated the identification of known scaffolds and the discovery of novel compounds across Chlorophyta, Ochrophyta and Rhodophyta taxa. Biological evaluations consistently demonstrate anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifouling and cytotoxic activities, underscoring the pharmaceutical and industrial potential of algal metabolites. Studies span diverse biogeographical settings—from tropical reefs and temperate bays to polar coastlines—highlighting the role of environmental factors in shaping chemodiversity. Investigations into structure–activity relationships have pinpointed key functional groups responsible for bioactivity, guiding semi-synthetic modification and the development of lead compounds. The global significance of this research lies in sustainable bioprospecting, chemotaxonomic classification and the inspiration of new therapeutic agents whilst emphasising the need for marine conservation to preserve this chemical reservoir.

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Chemical Investigations of Marine Algal Secondary Metabolites publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in chemical investigations of marine algal secondary metabolites across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Secondary metabolites: Non-essential small molecules produced by organisms, often with ecological or pharmacological activities.

Terpenoids: A large class of naturally occurring organic chemicals derived from isoprene units, including mono-, sesqui- and diterpenes.

C15-acetogenins: Polyoxygenated fatty acid derivatives characteristic of some red algae, often bearing halogen atoms.

Dereplication: Rapid identification of known compounds in complex mixtures to prioritise novel entities.

Molecular networking: A computational method linking MS/MS spectra to visualise chemical relationships within extracts.

Chromatography (HPLC, TLC): Techniques for separating complex mixtures based on interactions with stationary and mobile phases.

NMR spectroscopy: Analytical method for elucidating molecular structure via nuclear spin interactions in a magnetic field.

References

1. Secondary Metabolites with Anti-Inflammatory Activity from Laurencia majuscula Collected in the Red Sea. Marine Drugs (2023).
2. Antimicrobial Activity of the Secondary Metabolites Isolated from a South African Red Seaweed, Laurencia corymbosa. Molecules (2023).
3. Molecular networking prospection and characterization of terpenoids and C 15 -acetogenins in Brazilian seaweed extracts. RSC Advances (2018).