Classification of organic compounds with reference to natural products from seaweeds

Seaweeds, integral to coastal ecosystems, are recognized for pharmacologically active compounds, gaining prominence for pharmaceutical potential. Scientific reports endorse seaweed-based foods for health benefits. Global seaweed production reached 30.1 million tons in 2016, with India contributing 22,000 tons annually. Non-toxic, cost-effective, and easily cultivable, seaweeds offer alternatives to synthetic compounds. They house diverse bioactive molecules, exhibiting antihypertensive, anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Seaweeds contain compounds like phenolics, carotenoids, polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, proteins, terpenes, acetogenins, peptides, and alkaloids. Marine organisms produce chemical classes, including Terpenes, Shikimates, Polyketides, Acetogenins, Peptides, and Alkaloids, serving as chemical defenses. Seaweed-derived secondary metabolites, progressing into clinical trials, display antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, antiparasitic, anticoagulant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular properties. Exploration continues, unveiling promising therapeutic avenues in medicine and beyond

Course Manual: ICAR Winter School on Harnessing Recent Advances in High-Value Compound Development and Seaweed Biomass Utilization for Human Well-being: Propelling Atmanirbhar Swastha Bharat and Empowering Farmers 15th February to 06th March 2024

Seaweeds constitute a major share of marine flora, and they were reported to possess structurally diverse compounds of various bioactivities. These marine floras are considered as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological significance. Novel secondary bioactive metabolites from the seaweeds are attracting attention because of the growing demand for new compounds of ‘marine natural’ origin, having potential applications in pharmaceutical fields, and concerns about the toxic effects by synthetic drugs