Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds

Bromophenols, which belong to the family of phenolic compounds, are halogenated secondary metabolites characterized by the incorporation of bromine atoms into the phenol ring structure, resulting in unique chemical properties. These compounds, synthesized as secondary metabolites by algae, exhibit d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Paula Barciela, Maria Carpena, Ana Perez-Vazquez, Aurora Silva, Ana Olivia S. Jorge, Miguel A. Prieto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-11-01
Series:Biology and Life Sciences Forum
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/35/1/11
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1850089978036486144
author Paula Barciela
Maria Carpena
Ana Perez-Vazquez
Aurora Silva
Ana Olivia S. Jorge
Miguel A. Prieto
author_facet Paula Barciela
Maria Carpena
Ana Perez-Vazquez
Aurora Silva
Ana Olivia S. Jorge
Miguel A. Prieto
author_sort Paula Barciela
collection DOAJ
description Bromophenols, which belong to the family of phenolic compounds, are halogenated secondary metabolites characterized by the incorporation of bromine atoms into the phenol ring structure, resulting in unique chemical properties. These compounds, synthesized as secondary metabolites by algae, exhibit different isomeric forms due to bromine substitution at different positions within the phenol ring, showing variability among species. Bromine substitution not only confers specific chemical properties but also plays an important role in the ecological functions of bromophenols by inducing increased lipophilicity, which affects solubility and reactivity, an adaptive response to external conditions. Certain genera of red algae, such as <i>Gracilaria</i> and <i>Rhodomela</i>, have been identified as important sources of bromophenols. Research on bromophenols involves extraction, commonly using solvents such as methanol or methanol-dichloromethane, and identification and structural elucidation using advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the precise determination of structure and configuration. Bromophenols display diverse biological activities, highlighting antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral and antioxidant properties, which are closely related to their specific chemical structure. The importance of understanding the chemical group of bromophenols is underlined by their role in chemical defense mechanisms, contributing to potential biotechnological applications and broader contributions to the marine ecosystem. Therefore, this study is aimed to review the chemical characteristics and biological properties of bromophenols in red algae.
format Article
id doaj-art-edde34a1816242e1ae94d537637d28ec
institution DOAJ
issn 2673-9976
language English
publishDate 2024-11-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Biology and Life Sciences Forum
spelling doaj-art-edde34a1816242e1ae94d537637d28ec2025-08-20T02:42:39ZengMDPI AGBiology and Life Sciences Forum2673-99762024-11-013511110.3390/blsf2024035011Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown CompoundsPaula Barciela0Maria Carpena1Ana Perez-Vazquez2Aurora Silva3Ana Olivia S. Jorge4Miguel A. Prieto5Universidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA)—CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, SpainUniversidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA)—CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, SpainUniversidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA)—CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, SpainUniversidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA)—CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, SpainUniversidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA)—CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, SpainUniversidade de Vigo, Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA)—CITEXVI, 36310 Vigo, SpainBromophenols, which belong to the family of phenolic compounds, are halogenated secondary metabolites characterized by the incorporation of bromine atoms into the phenol ring structure, resulting in unique chemical properties. These compounds, synthesized as secondary metabolites by algae, exhibit different isomeric forms due to bromine substitution at different positions within the phenol ring, showing variability among species. Bromine substitution not only confers specific chemical properties but also plays an important role in the ecological functions of bromophenols by inducing increased lipophilicity, which affects solubility and reactivity, an adaptive response to external conditions. Certain genera of red algae, such as <i>Gracilaria</i> and <i>Rhodomela</i>, have been identified as important sources of bromophenols. Research on bromophenols involves extraction, commonly using solvents such as methanol or methanol-dichloromethane, and identification and structural elucidation using advanced analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for the precise determination of structure and configuration. Bromophenols display diverse biological activities, highlighting antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antiviral and antioxidant properties, which are closely related to their specific chemical structure. The importance of understanding the chemical group of bromophenols is underlined by their role in chemical defense mechanisms, contributing to potential biotechnological applications and broader contributions to the marine ecosystem. Therefore, this study is aimed to review the chemical characteristics and biological properties of bromophenols in red algae.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/35/1/11bromophenolsphenolic compoundssecondary metabolitesred algae
spellingShingle Paula Barciela
Maria Carpena
Ana Perez-Vazquez
Aurora Silva
Ana Olivia S. Jorge
Miguel A. Prieto
Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds
Biology and Life Sciences Forum
bromophenols
phenolic compounds
secondary metabolites
red algae
title Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds
title_full Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds
title_fullStr Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds
title_full_unstemmed Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds
title_short Bromophenols in Red Algae: Exploring the Chemistry and Uncovering Biological Benefits of These Unknown Compounds
title_sort bromophenols in red algae exploring the chemistry and uncovering biological benefits of these unknown compounds
topic bromophenols
phenolic compounds
secondary metabolites
red algae
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9976/35/1/11
work_keys_str_mv AT paulabarciela bromophenolsinredalgaeexploringthechemistryanduncoveringbiologicalbenefitsoftheseunknowncompounds
AT mariacarpena bromophenolsinredalgaeexploringthechemistryanduncoveringbiologicalbenefitsoftheseunknowncompounds
AT anaperezvazquez bromophenolsinredalgaeexploringthechemistryanduncoveringbiologicalbenefitsoftheseunknowncompounds
AT aurorasilva bromophenolsinredalgaeexploringthechemistryanduncoveringbiologicalbenefitsoftheseunknowncompounds
AT anaoliviasjorge bromophenolsinredalgaeexploringthechemistryanduncoveringbiologicalbenefitsoftheseunknowncompounds
AT miguelaprieto bromophenolsinredalgaeexploringthechemistryanduncoveringbiologicalbenefitsoftheseunknowncompounds