Table 1.

Some examples of algae together with their functional ingredients and possible effect on human health

Algae	Functional ingredients	Possible health effect
Sargassum vulgare	Alginic acid, xylofucans	Antiviral activity
Himanthalia elongate	PUFAs	Reduce risk of certain heart diseases
	a-Tocoferol	Antioxidant activity
	Sterols	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
	Soluble fiber	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
Undaria pinnatifida	PUFAs	Reduce risk of certain heart diseases
	Sterols	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
	Soluble fiber	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
	Folates	Reduce risk of certain types of cancer
	Sulphated polysaccharides	Antiviral activity
	Fucoxanthin	Preventive effect on cerebrovascular diseases
Phorphira spp.	PUFAs	Reduce risk of certain heart diseases
	Sterols	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
	Soluble fiber	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
Chondrus crispus	PUFAs (n-3) fatty acids	Reduce risk of certain heart diseases
	Sterols	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
	Soluble fiber	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol
	Sulphated polysaccharides (porphyrans)	Apoptotic activities
Cystoseira spp.	Terpenes	Valuable curative properties
	Sterols	Reduce total and LDL cholesterol