Green Macroalgae Biomass Upcycling as a Sustainable Resource for Value-Added Applications
As the global demand for eco-friendly food ingredients grows, marine macroalgae emerge as a valuable resource for multiple applications using a circular bioeconomy approach. In this study, green macroalgae <i>Ulva flexuosa</i>, naturally accumulated in aquaculture ponds as a residual bio...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7927 |
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| Summary: | As the global demand for eco-friendly food ingredients grows, marine macroalgae emerge as a valuable resource for multiple applications using a circular bioeconomy approach. In this study, green macroalgae <i>Ulva flexuosa</i>, naturally accumulated in aquaculture ponds as a residual biomass (by-product) of shrimp and oyster farming, were investigated regarding their bioactivity, chemical composition, and antioxidant properties. The use of aquaculture by-products as raw materials not only reduces waste accumulation but also makes better use of natural resources and adds value to underutilized biomass, contributing to sustainable production systems. For this, a comprehensive approach including the evaluation of its composition and environmentally friendly extraction of bioactive compounds was conducted and discussed. Green macroalgae exhibited high fiber (37.63% dry weight, DW) and mineral (30.45% DW) contents. Among the identified compounds, palmitic acid and linoleic acid (ω-6) were identified in the highest concentrations. Pigment analysis revealed a high concentration of chlorophylls (73.95 mg/g) and carotenoids (17.75 mg/g). To evaluate the bioactivity of <i>Ulva flexuosa</i>, ultrasound-assisted solid–liquid extraction was performed using water, ethanol, and methanol. Methanolic extracts showed the highest flavonoid content (59.33 mg QE/100 g), while aqueous extracts had the highest total phenolic content (41.50 mg GAE/100 g). Ethanolic and methanolic extracts had the most potent DPPH scavenging activity, whereas aqueous and ethanolic extracts performed best at the ABTS assay. Overall, we show the upcycling of <i>Ulva flexuosa</i>, an underexplored aquaculture by-product, as a sustainable and sensible strategy for multiple value-added applications. |
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| ISSN: | 2076-3417 |