Abstract
For decades, it has been evidenced that seaweeds are used as part of the
human diet in many parts of the world. Across the globe, it has been investigated and
accepted that seaweeds are rich source of diverse bioactive compounds and can be used
as functional foods. These bioactive compounds or metabolites are derived in the form
of peptides, polysaccharides, fatty acids, pigments and polyphenols. They have various
bioactive properties like anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidants
and anti-diabetic. Further, these findings were noticed by pharmaceutical industries that
seaweeds can be employed as nutraceuticals for various human ailments.
Environmental factors contribute to maximum diversification in the production of
metabolites; therefore, there is a need to develop a better understanding of the
functional importance of novel metabolites through screening. Several modern
analytical tools have been used to elucidate the functionality and characterisation of the
metabolic network. This study of metabolic network regulation forms the newly
emerging field regarded as metabolomics. This chapter highlights various types of
metabolites in seaweeds as phyco-nutraceuticals. Also, various techniques have been
discussed to characterize and profile seaweed-derived metabolites. The chapter also
emphasises the seaweed-derived bioactive compounds' potential and economic
importance
Keywords: Characterization, Functional Food, Metabolites, Proximate Analysis, Phyco-Nutraceuticals, Seaweed-Proteins, Seagrass.