Leonel Pereira

University of Coimbra | UC · Department of Life Sciences

Egyptian seaweeds contain diverse bioactive compounds, but our understanding of their antimicrobial potential, particularly against multidrug-resistant (MDR) human pathogens, is still limited and underestimated. This study screened the antimicrobial potential of ethanolic extracts of Caulerpa racemosa, Dictyopteris polypodioides, and Padina pavonic...

Carrageenans are valuable marine polysaccharides derived from specific species of red seaweed (Rhodophyta) widely used as thickening and stabilizing agents across various industries. Kappaphycus alvarezii, predominantly cultivated in tropical countries, is the primary source of kappa-carrageenan. Traditional industrial extraction methods involve al...

Citation: Mendes, M.; Cotas, J.; Pacheco, D.; Ihle, K.; Hillinger, A.; Cascais, M.; Marques, J.C.; Pereira, L.; Gonçalves, A.M.M. Red Seaweed Abstract: Seaweed polysaccharides are versatile both in their functions in seaweed physiology and in their practical applications in society. However, their content and quality vary greatly. This review discu...

This study aimed to biosynthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) using extracts from various seaweeds, including Ulva lactuca, Ulva intestinalis (Chlorophyta), and Sargassum muticum (Phaeophyceae). The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs were characterized using UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electr...

Seaweeds have been utilized for millennia in Asian countries, although they have only more recently become popular in Western society. They began to be used in ancient times because of their long-term properties and, nowadays, seaweeds are being targeted as a potential tool to combat climate change. There are not many laws governing seaweeds becaus...

The red seaweed Hypnea J.V. Lamouroux is a cosmopolitan genus of the family Cystocloniaceae. It has been used in folk medicine, especially in eastern Asian countries. However, little literature highlighted the phytochemical and pharmaceutical values of its different species. In the past centuries, and until now, different Hypnea species have also b...

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is known as a non-communicable disease (NCD) that affects more and more individuals. MetS is closely related to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), obesity and inflammation. It is associated with T2DM due to the disturbance in insulin secretion/effect, eventually leading to insulin resistance (IR...

Simple showcase of solvent effectiveness in extracting pigments from several red seaweed species.

A apanha de algas nas regiões de “Entre-os-Rios” e “Douro” (Norte de Portugal) foi, desde a Idade Média até meados do século XX, uma atividade económica e socialmente importante em Portugal continental, como fica claramente demonstrado pelas leis provinciais dionisíacas e manuelinas da Póvoa de Varzim e da Maia. Na lei provincial publicada em 9 de...

In recent times, there has been a revolutionary surge in antioxidant research, with a focus on harnessing microalgae to enhance wellness and extend human longevity. Microalgae, a diverse group of unicellular photosynthetic organisms, have emerged as promising sources of natural antioxidants due to their ability to synthesize various bioactive compo...

The term 'cosmeceutical' refers to cosmetic products that offer medicinal or drug-like benefits. Marine algae are rich sources of bioactive compounds, particularly carbohydrates and peptides, which have gained attention for their potential in cosmeceuticals. These compounds are abundant, safe, and have minimal cytotoxicity effects. They offer vario...

Cite this article: Pereira L, Valado A. Exploring the therapeutic potential of algae derived food and diet factors in allergy and inflammation. Abstract Seaweed, a rich source of bioactive compounds, has gained increasing attention for its potential therapeutic applications in allergy and inflammation. This review examines the current scientific li...

The study of the human microbiome has been a hot topic during the recent decades. More recently, the skin microbiome has attracted great interest as well. So, the scientific community has become interested in the role of the skin microbiome in skin health and its relationship with different disorders, such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and...

Green algae, phylum Chlorophyta, due to their green appearance as higher plants, are seen as one of the raw materials to be widely used by humanity for different purposes. How can these different purposes achieve ONU Sustainable Development Goals? The genus Ulva sp. is widely distributed through all continents, tolerating different ecosystems (fres...

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for two-thirds of premature deaths in Europe. This added to the European socioeconomic scenario already weakened by the vital aging of the population, contributes to the loss of active individuals, weakening competitiveness and social and economic sustainability, thus making the prevention of NCDs a...

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic condition marked by high blood glucose levels caused by inadequate insulin synthesis or poor insulin use. This condition affects millions of individuals worldwide and is linked to a variety of consequences, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy. Diabetes therapy now focus...

This review delves into the burgeoning field of seaweed proteins as promising alternative sources of protein. With global demand escalating and concerns over traditional protein sources’ sustainability and ethics, seaweed emerges as a viable solution, offering a high protein content and minimal environmental impacts. Exploring the nutritional compo...

The study of the human microbiome has been a hot topic during the last decades and more recently the skin microbiome has aroused great interest as well. So that, scientists have turned their attention to the role of the skin microbiome in skin health, and its relationship with different disorders as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, acne, and rosacea,...

Algae are rich in nutrients and bioactive compounds, playing a crucial role as biostimu-lants for plants, enhancing growth and resilience. Four algae-based extracts were tested: the raw extract of red macroalgae Calliblepharis jubata (CJ), Ulasco (UA), Grasco (GR) and "AgriAlgae Foliar" (AA), the la er with microalgae. The extracts were evaluated f...

Seaweeds have been used globally for different purposes. Recent developments in technology coupled with an increasing interest in the resource have created a need for seaweed aquaculture to meet the demand. This review tackles the question of whether seaweed aquaculture has the potential to support the blue economy as well as climate change adaptat...

The term “non-indigenous species” (NIS) describes creatures that have colonized previously unoccupied parts of the globe. They have enormous ecological and economic problems everywhere because of their expanding presence. The success of biological invaders in this setting has recently been a hot topic. Of the thousands of marine NIS that have been...

The environmental impact of drug manufacturing raises concerns about sustainability in healthcare. To address this, exploring alternative approaches to drug production is crucial. This review focuses on seaweed as a sustainable resource for greening drug manufacturing processes. Seaweed offers advantages such as renewability, abundance, and a posit...

Seaweeds have been explored as a natural resource of compounds of interest due to their bioactivities. Although many studies report the interest and the application of seaweeds in various areas, from food or human health to the economy, these data mostly focus on raw extracts and not on specific compounds, such as seaweed pigments. Fungal infection...

Seaweed polysaccharides can act as substitutes for synthetic compounds present in commercial stimulants and fertilizers used in agriculture to improve crop yields and vigor. In this study, three different polysaccharides (alginate, agar, and carrageenan) were extracted from one brown seaweed, Saccorhiza polyschides, and two red seaweeds, Gracilaria...

Seaweed, a miscellaneous group of marine algae, has long been recognized for its rich nutritional composition and bioactive compounds, being considered nutraceutical ingredient. This revision delves into the promising role of seaweed-derived nutrients as a beneficial resource for drug discovery and innovative product development. Seaweeds are abund...

Cite this article: Pereira L, Valado A. Harnessing the power of seaweed: unveiling the potential of marine algae in drug discovery. Explor Drug Sci. 2023;1:475-96. https://doi. Abstract Seaweeds, also known as marine algae, have gained attention as a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in drug discovery. This review...

Noncommunicable diseases (NCD), such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), are responsible for the majority of annual deaths worldwide. Dyslipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity, among others, can enhance the onset of metabolic syndrome (MetS). The integration of natural products in the diet, such as marine macroalgae or hydrocolloids extracted...

Seaweed polysaccharides can substitute synthetic compounds present in commercial stimulants and fertilizers, used in agriculture to improve crops yield and vigor. In this study, three different poly-saccharides (alginate, agar and carrageenan) were extracted from one brown seaweed, Saccorhiza polyschides, and two red seaweeds, Gracilaria gracilis a...

Recent investigations have shed light on the potential of seaweed, an abundant source of bioactive compounds, to mitigate and combat neurodegenerative diseases. In this comprehensive review, the accumulating evidence supporting the neuroprotective properties of seaweed-derived compounds is evaluated and their putative mechanisms of action are eluci...

Diseases such as obesity; cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, myocardial infarction and stroke; digestive diseases such as celiac disease; certain types of cancer and osteoporosis are related to food. On the other hand, as the world's population increases, the ability of the current food production system to produce food consistent...

Seaweed polysaccharides, when compared to synthetic commercial fertilizers, have been proven to achieve excellent results in plant growth parameters. When applied to the soil directly or sprayed on the foliage, seaweed poly- and oligosaccharides can improve seed germination and plant vigor, increase the uptake of soil nutrients, and protect plants...

Seaweeds have been the target of much attention due to the known bioactivities of some of their compounds. Although many studies about the application of seaweeds in various areas are available, these data are mostly about the raw extracts and not about specific compounds, such as seaweeds pigments. Moreover, the fungal infections of the skin, nail...

Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a global challenge due to its virulence and biofilm-forming ability, leading to persistent infections. This study had a dual focus: first, it aimed to investigate the biofilm activity and antibiotic resistance profiles of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates obtained from a fish-rearing farm. Second, it e...

The number of people with gluten-related illnesses has been increasing and the available treatments include the introduction of a gluten-free diet. In the bakery industry, there are problems with gluten-free products, namely the important characteristics that this component gives to doughs and the low nutritional value they present. A disease that...

In recent times, there has been a revolutionary surge in antioxidant research, with a focus on harnessing microalgae to enhance wellness and extend human longevity. Microalgae, a diverse group of unicellular photosynthetic organisms, have emerged as promising sources of natural antioxidants due to their ability to synthesize various bioactive compo...

Seaweed polysaccharides have been proven to achieve excellent results in plant growth parameters, when compared to synthetic commercial fertilizers. When applied to the soil directly or sprayed on the foliage, seaweed poly- and oligosaccharides can improve plant vigor, increase the uptake of soil nutrients, and protect plants against several abioti...

Diabetes poses a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. Natural products and their derivatives have emerged as promising candidates for diabetes management due to their diverse compositions and pharmacological effects. Algae, in particular, have garnered attention for their potential as a source of bio...

Nowadays, the exponential expansion in human population has resulted in the massifica-tion of intensive agricultural practices, with crop yield and sustainability being one of the most pressing challenges. Therefore, there was a need for new and natural fertilizers and pesticides, which has become a popular agricultural trend nowadays. Therefore, t...

The important purpose of this work is to evaluate the biostimulant activity of the algae Chlorella vulgaris and Ulva lactuca extracts on the crop plants Lactuca sativa, to compare the effect of these two green algae on plant growth and development as a part of a sustainable plant production method and show that these extracts can be a promissory so...

The alien brown seaweed Sargassum muticum (Yendo) Fensholt is currently observed along the coasts of Morocco. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of physicochemical parameters on the distribution of S. muticum at four sites on the Atlantic coast of Morocco harvested between 2019 and 2020. This study’s results showed that the highest biom...

Marine macroalgae have garnered significant attention in the field of cosmeceutical research due to their rich abundance of bioactive compounds. These compounds offer remarkable skin benefits without inducing any adverse effects on human health, such as cytotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, or carcinogenicity. Among the v...

Diabetes and its complications are a global health burden, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches. Natural products and derivatives are gaining attention as potential agents for managing diabetes due to their diverse constituents and pharmacological activities. Algae, in particular, offer promising bioactive compounds with antidiabetic properti...

Seaweed and the traditional medicine Gun has traditionally been consumed as food in a variety of ways: Raw in salads and as a vegetable, pickle, with allspice sauce, or in vinegar, as a relish or sweetened jellies, and also cooked for vegetable soup. As an herbal medicine, seaweed was generally used for the production of traditional cosmetics, in t...

Marine macroalgae, such as Padina boergesenii, are gaining recognition in the cosmetics industry as valuable sources of natural bioactive compounds. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical profile of P. boergesenii and evaluate its potential as a cosmetic ingredient. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (G...

The cosmetic industry recognizes the importance of natural sources for functional active constituents in meeting consumer expectations for safer and more sustainable beauty care products. Marine macroalgae have emerged as promising resources, offering diverse bioactive constituents with potential applications in cosmetics. In this study, we investi...

The seaweed-based biostimulants available in the market are proven to achieve better results than synthetic commercial fertilizers in plant growth parameters. There are many compounds present in seaweeds that are responsible for the plant bioactivities. Seaweed polysaccharides, such as agar, alginate, and carrageenan, make up most of the seaweed bi...

Polyphenols are compounds found in various plants and foods, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, researchers have been exploring the therapeutic potential of marine polyphenols and other minor nutrients that are found in algae, fish and crustaceans. These compounds have unique chemical structures and exhibit dive...

With the notable scarcity of Chondrus crispus on the Portuguese coast, and interest in exploiting compounds such as carrageenan, this study focuses on investigating different aquaculture methods and recording the yield of carrageenan from specimens grown by different methods. We compare the growth of Chondrus crispus in aquaculture using Free Float...

Among the species of the rich algological flora of the North Atlantic, some can be used for direct consumption in human food, although few are currently cultivated on a large scale and/or marketed for this purpose. The European tradition regarding this custom is practically nil and the expression of current eating habits is little different from th...

We analyzed the phytoplankton interactions during a Ceratium furcoides invasion along with the environmental variables contributing to its dominance and blooms in Marrecas, a south-Brazilian reservoir. We monitored Marrecas weekly/monthly (n = 116) from 2014 to 2018. C. furcoides avoided summer and preferred spring, which displayed optimal temperat...

Editorial on the Research Topic Algal biotechnology: Current trends and nanotechnology prospective Algae biotechnology is an ever-expanding field of research that aims to use the biological properties of algae to develop products and solutions for diverse sectors, from food and energy to medicines and cosmetics. Algae are considered highly versatil...

Citation: Hamad, G.; Hafez, E.E.; Sobhy, S.E.; Mehany, T.; Elfayoumy, R.A.; Elghazaly, E.M.; Eskander, M.; Tawfik, R.G.; Hussein, S.M.; Pereira, L. Detection of Clostridium botulinum in Some Abstract: This study aims to detect Clostridium botulinum and its control using natural leaf extracts of Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus unshiu in Eg...

Citation: Almeida, Â.; Cotas, J.; Pereira, L.; Carvalho, P. Potential Role of Spirogyra sp. and Chlorella sp. in Bioremediation of Mine Drainage: A Review. Phycology 2023, 3, 186-201. Abstract: One of the biggest global challenges in the mining industry is managing the risks associated with contamination by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) resulti...

This research evaluated the antifungal effectiveness of Arthrospira platensis ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts against the tested pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans, Trichophy-ton rubrum and Malassezia furfur). Antioxidant and cytotoxicity effectiveness of A. platensis extracts against four distinct cell lines were also assesse...

Seaweeds are a promising source of bioactive compounds for biotechnological applications, with the potential to provide natural alternatives to a wide range of industries. Among bioactive algal molecules, phenolic compounds are synthesized as secondary metabolites. Ecologically, these molecules play a role on plants and seaweeds defense mechanisms,...

Mangrove ecosystems support diverse macroalgal assemblages, which are primary producers. Community composition, percentage cover of macroalgae, and physicochemical parameters of seawater were studied at two mangrove areas in the Red Sea, Egypt, from November 2020 to October 2021. In addition , we sought to study changes in the relative densities of...

Currently, algae arouse a growing interest in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic area due to the fact that they have a great diversity of bioactive compounds with the potential for pharmacological and nutraceutical applications. Due to lifestyle modifications brought on by rapid urbanization, diabetes mellitus, a metabolic illness, is the third larges...

The ecosystem services can be divided using two major classification systems, the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). In the MEA system, the ecosystem services are divided into four major service clusters: supporting, provisioning, regulating, and cultural. On the other ha...

Featured Application: Aqueous extracts from selected red seaweeds collected from central Portu-gal present antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and therefore may be considered potential natural resources in a biotechnological context. Abstract: Throughout the ages, macroalgae have provided humankind with elements beneficial to human health, and...

Estuarine eutrophication due to the nutrient runoff from the agricultural fields encourages the establishment of several opportunistic seaweeds. These fast-growing seaweeds, considered an untapped resource, with a circular economy approach, can be employed as soil plant fertilizer. In agriculture, there is a global trend toward shifting from chemic...

With respect to the potential natural resources in the marine environment, marine macroalgae or seaweeds are recognized to have health impacts. Two marine algae that are found in the Red Sea, Codium tomentosum (Green algae) and Actinotrichia fragilis (Red algae), were collected. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of aqueous extracts of these...

Currently, algae arouse a growing interest in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic area due to the fact that they have a great diversity of bioactive compounds with the potential for pharmacological, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications. Many of these bioactive compounds are secondary metabolites whose amounts in the algae vary with varying environm...

Phycoerythrin (R-PE) is a naturally occurring colorant with excellent fluorescent and antioxidant properties with a wide range of applications. This study aimed to compare the use of different purification methods, which are activated charcoal (AC), ammonium sulfate precipitation (ASP), or anion-exchange chromatography (IE) alone and a combination...

The high incidence of changes in the lipid profile in the world population is supported by the adoption of a lifestyle with numerous risk factors. Dyslipidemia, the main alteration in the lipid profile, is characterized by increased concentrations of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and decrea...

The present study aims to assess the potential exploitation of marine macroalgae waste using a cascade biorefinery approach. For that, biomass was collected from a northern Portugal beach, two different drying processes were employed (freeze-drying (FD) and sun-drying (SD)) and cascade extractions were conducted to obtain several extracts (fatty ac...

Marine macroalgae have an interesting profile of bioactive compounds and have gained tremendous attention in cosmeceuticals with negligible toxicity effects (cytotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, etc.) on humans and exhibit strong benefits for the skin. Among the diversified compounds, phenolic compounds...

In recent years, there has been an increase in studies on applications of marine algae (macro- and micro-), fungi and other marine organisms, as a result of the identification of different substances synthesized by these organisms. The immense biodiversity and consequent variability in the biochemical composition of the biomass obtained from algae...

Nowadays seaweeds are an ecological source of biostimulators and fertilizers for agriculture. They were used in agriculture to promote plant growth, improve the quality of the products and prevent pests and diseases. In the present study it was tested the effect as biostimulants and fertilizers of four different seaweed extracts (made of Gracilaria...

Sustainable development is a central issue in XXI century and the continuous study of strategies that can limit the use of chemical synthetic fertilizers and increase natural sources as an eco-friendly alternative is the key of the evolution of the actual agriculture system to avoid environmental pollution and human illnesses. Ulva lactuca and Chlo...