Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates
The long-lasting interest in bioactive molecules (namely toxins) produced by (microalga) dinoflagellates has risen in recent years. Exhibiting wide diversity and complexity, said compounds are well-recognized for their biological features, with great potential for use as pharmaceutical therapies and...
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doaj-68d5386271ac4a97b273798b041a7dc72020-11-25T00:17:04ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972017-12-01151239310.3390/md15120393md15120393Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from DinoflagellatesJoana Assunção0A. Catarina Guedes1F. Xavier Malcata2LEPABE—Laboratory of Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, P-4200-465 Porto, PortugalInterdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos, s/n, P-4450-208 Matosinhos, PortugalLEPABE—Laboratory of Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, s/n, P-4200-465 Porto, PortugalThe long-lasting interest in bioactive molecules (namely toxins) produced by (microalga) dinoflagellates has risen in recent years. Exhibiting wide diversity and complexity, said compounds are well-recognized for their biological features, with great potential for use as pharmaceutical therapies and biological research probes. Unfortunately, provision of those compounds is still far from sufficient, especially in view of an increasing demand for preclinical testing. Despite the difficulties to establish dinoflagellate cultures and obtain reasonable productivities of such compounds, intensive research has permitted a number of advances in the field. This paper accordingly reviews the characteristics of some of the most important biotoxins (and other bioactive substances) produced by dinoflagellates. It also presents and discusses (to some length) the main advances pertaining to dinoflagellate production, from bench to large scale—with an emphasis on material published since the latest review available on the subject. Such advances encompass improvements in nutrient formulation and light supply as major operational conditions; they have permitted adaptation of classical designs, and aided the development of novel configurations for dinoflagellate growth—even though shearing-related issues remain a major challenge.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/15/12/393biotoxinmicroalgaepharmacological applicationsmicrobial factoriestherapeutical value |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Joana Assunção A. Catarina Guedes F. Xavier Malcata |
spellingShingle |
Joana Assunção A. Catarina Guedes F. Xavier Malcata Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates Marine Drugs biotoxin microalgae pharmacological applications microbial factories therapeutical value |
author_facet |
Joana Assunção A. Catarina Guedes F. Xavier Malcata |
author_sort |
Joana Assunção |
title |
Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates |
title_short |
Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates |
title_full |
Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates |
title_fullStr |
Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates |
title_full_unstemmed |
Biotechnological and Pharmacological Applications of Biotoxins and Other Bioactive Molecules from Dinoflagellates |
title_sort |
biotechnological and pharmacological applications of biotoxins and other bioactive molecules from dinoflagellates |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Marine Drugs |
issn |
1660-3397 |
publishDate |
2017-12-01 |
description |
The long-lasting interest in bioactive molecules (namely toxins) produced by (microalga) dinoflagellates has risen in recent years. Exhibiting wide diversity and complexity, said compounds are well-recognized for their biological features, with great potential for use as pharmaceutical therapies and biological research probes. Unfortunately, provision of those compounds is still far from sufficient, especially in view of an increasing demand for preclinical testing. Despite the difficulties to establish dinoflagellate cultures and obtain reasonable productivities of such compounds, intensive research has permitted a number of advances in the field. This paper accordingly reviews the characteristics of some of the most important biotoxins (and other bioactive substances) produced by dinoflagellates. It also presents and discusses (to some length) the main advances pertaining to dinoflagellate production, from bench to large scale—with an emphasis on material published since the latest review available on the subject. Such advances encompass improvements in nutrient formulation and light supply as major operational conditions; they have permitted adaptation of classical designs, and aided the development of novel configurations for dinoflagellate growth—even though shearing-related issues remain a major challenge. |
topic |
biotoxin microalgae pharmacological applications microbial factories therapeutical value |
url |
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/15/12/393 |
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