Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>

The cosmeceutical industry has increasingly turned its attention to marine macroalgae, recognizing their significant bioactive potential as sources of natural compounds for skincare applications. A growing number of products now incorporate extracts or isolated compounds from various macroalgae spec...

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Main Authors: Gonçalo P. Rosa, Maria Carmo Barreto, Ana M. L. Seca, Diana C. G. A. Pinto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Marine Drugs
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/2/83
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author Gonçalo P. Rosa
Maria Carmo Barreto
Ana M. L. Seca
Diana C. G. A. Pinto
author_facet Gonçalo P. Rosa
Maria Carmo Barreto
Ana M. L. Seca
Diana C. G. A. Pinto
author_sort Gonçalo P. Rosa
collection DOAJ
description The cosmeceutical industry has increasingly turned its attention to marine macroalgae, recognizing their significant bioactive potential as sources of natural compounds for skincare applications. A growing number of products now incorporate extracts or isolated compounds from various macroalgae species. However, many species remain underexplored, highlighting a valuable opportunity for further research. Among these, <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i> (Forsskål) J.V. Lamouroux has emerged as a promising candidate for cosmeceutical applications. This study provides the most comprehensive phytochemical assessment of <i>C. prolifera</i> to date, revealing its potential as a source of bioactive extracts and compounds. The analysis identified key components of its lipophilic profile, predominantly saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, alongside di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate—an endocrine disruptor potentially biosynthesized or bioaccumulated by the algae. While the crude extract exhibited moderate tyrosinase inhibitory activity, its overall antioxidant capacity was limited. Fractionation of the extract, however, yielded subfractions with distinct bioactivities linked to changes in chemical composition. Notably, enhanced inhibitory activities against elastase and collagenase were observed in subfractions enriched with 1-octadecanol and only traces of phthalate. Conversely, antioxidant activity diminished with the loss of specific compounds such as β-sitosterol, erucic acid, nervonic acid, and lignoceric acid. This work advances the understanding of the relationship between the chemical composition of <i>C. prolifera</i> and its bioactivities, emphasizing its potential as a source of cosmeceutical ingredients, leading to a more comprehensive valorization of this macroalga.
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spelling doaj-art-04ceedda38f948a69f1c3a20f0f729c12025-08-20T02:03:25ZengMDPI AGMarine Drugs1660-33972025-02-012328310.3390/md23020083Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>Gonçalo P. Rosa0Maria Carmo Barreto1Ana M. L. Seca2Diana C. G. A. Pinto3University of the Azores, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Azorean Biodiversity Group & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), 9501-321 Ponta Delgada, PortugalUniversity of the Azores, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Azorean Biodiversity Group & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), 9501-321 Ponta Delgada, PortugalUniversity of the Azores, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c), Azorean Biodiversity Group & Global Change and Sustainability Institute (CHANGE), 9501-321 Ponta Delgada, PortugalLAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, PortugalThe cosmeceutical industry has increasingly turned its attention to marine macroalgae, recognizing their significant bioactive potential as sources of natural compounds for skincare applications. A growing number of products now incorporate extracts or isolated compounds from various macroalgae species. However, many species remain underexplored, highlighting a valuable opportunity for further research. Among these, <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i> (Forsskål) J.V. Lamouroux has emerged as a promising candidate for cosmeceutical applications. This study provides the most comprehensive phytochemical assessment of <i>C. prolifera</i> to date, revealing its potential as a source of bioactive extracts and compounds. The analysis identified key components of its lipophilic profile, predominantly saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, alongside di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate—an endocrine disruptor potentially biosynthesized or bioaccumulated by the algae. While the crude extract exhibited moderate tyrosinase inhibitory activity, its overall antioxidant capacity was limited. Fractionation of the extract, however, yielded subfractions with distinct bioactivities linked to changes in chemical composition. Notably, enhanced inhibitory activities against elastase and collagenase were observed in subfractions enriched with 1-octadecanol and only traces of phthalate. Conversely, antioxidant activity diminished with the loss of specific compounds such as β-sitosterol, erucic acid, nervonic acid, and lignoceric acid. This work advances the understanding of the relationship between the chemical composition of <i>C. prolifera</i> and its bioactivities, emphasizing its potential as a source of cosmeceutical ingredients, leading to a more comprehensive valorization of this macroalga.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/2/83macroalgaephytochemical profilecosmeceutical potential
spellingShingle Gonçalo P. Rosa
Maria Carmo Barreto
Ana M. L. Seca
Diana C. G. A. Pinto
Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>
Marine Drugs
macroalgae
phytochemical profile
cosmeceutical potential
title Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>
title_full Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>
title_fullStr Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>
title_full_unstemmed Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>
title_short Antiaging Potential of Lipophilic Extracts of <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i>
title_sort antiaging potential of lipophilic extracts of i caulerpa prolifera i
topic macroalgae
phytochemical profile
cosmeceutical potential
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/23/2/83
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