Science AI Journal
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Research topic

Open research questions in Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds

99 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 365 Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • Investigate the effects of fucoidan and exercise on other types of cancer, - Examine the long-term effects of fucoidan and exercise on gut microbiome and tumor burden, - Explore the potential of fucoidan as a therapeutic agent for cancer treatment

    Effects of dietary fucoidan and exercise on the gut microbiome, fecal metabolome, and tumor-related responses in a murine colorectal cancer model · 2026 · DOI

  • One challenge is the limited understanding of how algal biomass and algal-derived preparations modulate the gut microbiota in livestock. Another challenge is the need for more research on the effects of algal bioactive compounds on innate immune signaling in livestock. A third challenge is the requirement for more studies on the practical applications of algal biomass and algal-derived preparations in livestock production.

    Algal Biomass and Algal-Derived Preparations in Livestock Nutrition: Gut Microbiota Modulation, Host Molecular Pathways, and Bioprocess Innovations · 2026 · DOI

  • current livestock studies do not demonstrate a consistent increase in butyrate, - livestock-level evidence remains comparatively limited, - direct evidence linking whole algal biomass to intestinal stem-cell regulation remains limited, - the release and bioavailability of active components are not well understood

    Algal Biomass and Algal-Derived Preparations in Livestock Nutrition: Gut Microbiota Modulation, Host Molecular Pathways, and Bioprocess Innovations · 2026 · DOI

  • Structural heterogeneity - Lack of viral specificity - Anticoagulant side effects in certain sulphated derivatives

    Antiviral activity of natural and modified hydrocolloids: main sources, susceptible viruses, structure-activity relationship and mechanisms of action · 2025 · DOI

  • Development of semisynthetic derivatives - Nanomaterial engineering to enhance stability, bioavailability, and therapeutic precision - Controlled head-to-head studies

    Antiviral activity of natural and modified hydrocolloids: main sources, susceptible viruses, structure-activity relationship and mechanisms of action · 2025 · DOI

  • The limitations of essential oils, such as low stability and bioavailability. The need for biodegradable alternatives to conventional packaging materials. The lack of comprehensive investigations on the incorporation of a diverse range of essential oils in alginate films.

    Alginate Edible Films Containing Essential Oils: Characterization and Bioactive Potential · 2025 · DOI

  • Abstract Although H2O2-mediated degradation efficiently yields bioactive oligosaccharides, the underlying mechanisms and structure–activity relationships (SARs) of agar polysaccharides remain elusive.

    Degradation Behavior and Mechanism of Agar Polysaccharides Induced by Hydrogen Peroxide: Structure Evolution and Bioactivity of Oligosaccharides · 2026 · DOI

  • However, its application as a functional beverage remains unexplored, particularly regarding how SCOBY fermentation may influence its phytochemical composition and biological activities.

    Effects of SCOBY Fermentation on the Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Engl. Leaf Infusion · 2026 · DOI

  • Because their influenced immune responses are not fully understood, we investigated the role of ostreae testa water extract (OTW), derived from oyster shells, in modulating T cell activity.

    Ostreae Testa Water Extract Activates Antigen-Presenting Cells to Enhance T Cell-Mediated Immune Responses 4742 · 2025 · DOI

  • Further clinical research and regulatory standardization are warranted to translate these findings into evidence-based interventions.

    Marine-Algal-Derived Postbiotics Modulating the Gut Microbiota–Adipose Tissue Axis in Obesity: A New Frontier · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite promising research highlighting its potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, the commercial utilization of laminaran remains limited, primarily due to challenges in extraction efficiency, structural complexity, and a lack of standardized methodologies.

    Advancements in the Extraction, Characterization, and Bioactive Potential of Laminaran: A Review · 2025 · DOI

  • Future research should focus on evaluating cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and the practical application of these films in food matrices.

    Alginate Edible Films Containing Essential Oils: Characterization and Bioactive Potential · 2025 · DOI

  • Despite their importance, the interactions between these compounds and their resultant antioxidant activities have not been extensively studied.

    Study of phenolic-polysaccharide interactions in brown seaweed · 2025 · DOI

  • This review underscores the need for further investigation into the specific mechanisms of action and clinical applications of algae-derived biomolecules.

    Bioactive Potential of Algae and Algae-Derived Compounds: Focus on Anti-Inflammatory, Antimicrobial, and Antioxidant Effects · 2024 · DOI

  • Despite numerous results on their presence and bioactive derivatives, only a few studies have explored the functional and therapeutic properties of secondary metabolites from seagrass.

    Seagrass Meadows: Prospective Candidates for Bioactive Molecules · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the limitation of available sulfatases to break down the complex sulfation patterns of carrageenans poses a significant limitation for the sustainable production of valuable bioproducts from red algae.

    Biocatalytic Conversion of Carrageenans for the Production of 3,6-Anhydro-D-galactose · 2024 · DOI

  • However, the specific mechanisms by which fucoidan improves UC-related behavioral disorders in aged mice, especially its effect on the gut–brain axis, remain to be further explored.

    Ameliorated Effects of Fucoidan on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis and Accompanying Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors in Aged C57BL/6 Mice · 2024 · DOI

  • Nevertheless, their consumption is still limited by their strong organoleptic characteristics, thus requiring the development of extraction strategies to profit from their nutritional value.

    Fucus vesiculosus-Rich Extracts as Potential Functional Food Ingredients: A Holistic Extraction Approach · 2024 · DOI

  • Further investigation into the long-term health impacts of carrageenan and other food additives is warranted.

    Carrageenan and insulin resistance in humans: a randomised double-blind cross-over trial · 2024 · DOI

  • BACKGROUND: The potential impact of specific food additives, common in Western diets, on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes is not well understood.

    Carrageenan and insulin resistance in humans: a randomised double-blind cross-over trial · 2024 · DOI

  • There is a need for new therapeutic agents that can address the complex interplay of oxidative stress, inflammatory signalling, and metabolic imbalance in diabetes mellitus. There is a lack of research on the haematoprotective effects of antidiabetic therapies.

    Antidiabetic and haematoprotective effects of an aqueous extract of Tremella fuciformis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of direct biochemical evidence demonstrating the activity of GH1 and GH30 enzymes against native brown-algal fucoidans. The incomplete definition of the substrate range and catalytic mechanism of GH141 enzymes.

    Fucoidan-active enzymes: Recent progress in their heterologous expression and future prospects for applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The biotechnological potential of fucoidans continues to gain attention due to their intricate structures and various biological functions. These polysaccharides are utilized in nutraceuticals, functional foods, cosmetics, and biomedical applications, with companies such as Marinova (Australia), Korea BioPolymer, and FMC BioPolymer commercially producing them. Extrac- tion primarily takes place from brown seaweeds like Undaria pinnatifida and Fucus vesiculosus. Depending on factors such as purity, molecular weight, and degree of sulfation, commer- cial fucoidans can be priced between US$100 and US$500 per kilogram, highlighting their significant economic potential. However, natural extraction methods face challenges, includ- ing seasonal variability, differences between batches, and limited biomass, which hinder consistent and large-scale production. Significant advancements have been achieved in heterologous expression and enzymatic modifications, which are viewed as more sustainable alternatives. Developments in molecular biology have enabled the cloning and expression of crucial enzymes such as fucosyltransferases, sulfotrans- ferases, fucoidanases, and fucosidases that are essential for creating and modifying fucoidan structures. The combined use of these tools has led to the production of LMWF and FOSs with enhanced and customizable bioactivities. These recom- binant and enzymatic strategies offer a promising approach for designing fucoidan molecules with specific structures and functions. Nonetheless, there are still major hurdles to overcome. These include obtaining high yields of soluble, difficult-to- express enzymes in bacterial systems, particularly mem- brane-bound or disulfide-rich variants, effectively controlling sulfation patterns, and ensuring the cost-effectiveness of the processes. Key manufacturers have not yet moved to these platforms owing to technical difficulties and a lack of thor- ough techno-economic analyses (TEA). Strategies that have been successful in other glycan productions such as engineered microbes that enable high-density growth and improved meta- bolic pathways, serve as a framework for addressing expres- sion challenges and achieving industrial-scale production of fucoidans. Enzyme immobilization is considered a critical fac- tor for achieving favorable TEA outcomes. The attachment of fucosyltransferases, sulfotransferases, and fucoidanases to supports like cross-linked aggregates, magnetic nanoparticles, or porous silica allows for repeated use, provides protection against degradation, facilitates operation in continuous-flow systems, and integrates cofactor recycling (e.g., UDP-fucose, PAPS). This approach reduces costs, enhances efficiency, and positions it competitively against traditional extraction meth- ods. Future efforts will concentrate on computational protein design, systems biology, high-throughput screening, bio- process optimizations, and cofactor recycling. Applied phycol- ogists and biotechnologists will strive to create tailored types of fucoidans with well-defined relationships between structure and activity for applications in anti-inflammatory treatments, wound healing, immune modulation, and drug delivery. As knowledge of fucoidan biosynthesis and enzymatic modifica- tion expands, a more sustainable, biotechnology-driven marine bioeconomy can be established. Declaration of generative AI and AI‑assisted technologies in the writing process During the preparation of this work, ChatGPT (OpenAI) was used in order to improve the readability and language of the manuscript. After using this tool/service, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and took full responsibility for the content of the published article. Authors contribution **Shahd Abdelrahman** and **Reem Zahran** contributed equally to conceptualization, literature review, and manu- script drafting. **Ahmed Zayed** Conceptualization, supervised the work, revised the manuscript critically for intellectual content, and coordinated the overall research activity. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript. Funding Open access funding provided by The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) in cooperation with The Egyp- tian Knowledge Bank (EKB).

    Fucoidan-active enzymes: Recent progress in their heterologous expression and future prospects for applications · 2026 · DOI

  • The strategy can be extended to evaluate the interaction between sulfated polysaccharides and other anticoagulant targets. The developed strategy can be used to evaluate the anticoagulant activity of other marine sulfated polysaccharides.

    Heparin microarray-based specific interaction assay of marine sulfated polysaccharides with antithrombin Ⅲ · 2026 · DOI

  • Efficient methods to evaluate the anticoagulant activity of marine sulfated polysaccharides at the molecular level are lacking. The limitations of heparin, including its side effects and risk of contamination, have led to the search for alternative anticoagulants.

    Heparin microarray-based specific interaction assay of marine sulfated polysaccharides with antithrombin Ⅲ · 2026 · DOI

Most-cited papers in Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds

Most recent work

Find a gap in your own Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds sub-topic

This page shows what the Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds literature already flags as unresolved. To narrow it to your specific question, search the Research Gap Finder: the search is free with a free account and lists the papers closest to your topic first. Unlocking that topic (50 credits, charged once) fills the comparison table from our 4.5M-paper local library and writes the gaps from its rows.

Open the Research Gap Finder →

Related topics in Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Smart Agriculture and AI
831 open questions
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
825 open questions
Agricultural Innovations and Practices
597 open questions
Plant-Microbe Interactions and Immunity
537 open questions
Agricultural Development and Management
537 open questions
Plant Molecular Biology Research
498 open questions
Rural development and sustainability
473 open questions
Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
448 open questions
99 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 365 Seaweed-derived Bioactive Compounds papers in our 4.5M-paper local library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

Tools for your next paper

Gaps & Literature SearchFind open questions in any field — 120,000+ open gaps mined from our own library.Pre-CheckIs your paper ready? A Tier 1–5 acceptance probability in seconds.Journal FinderA ranked shortlist of target journals from a 17,500-venue index.Duplicate Publication CheckerCheck prior-publication & salami-slicing risk across 8 sources.Citation GeneratorFreeA DOI or title → APA, MLA, Vancouver, Chicago, BibTeX, RIS. No signup.Graphical Abstract MakerFreeTurn your findings into a colorblind-safe graphical abstract.

Compare the category — Honest roundups of the AI research tools, ours listed alongside the alternatives.

Command palette

Jump anywhere, run any action.