SEAWEEDS AS SOURCES OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN THE BENEFIT OF HUMAN HEALTH: A REVIEW

Since ancient times, algae have been used as a food source fundamentally by Asian countries. They are employed in our times as fertilizer, biogas, in hydrocolloids' industry and others. Its composition in high quality proteins, polyunsatured lipids, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals are determinants to declare algae as an attractive functional food. Furthermore, algae have nutraceutical substances, including phenols and chlorophylls. In Cuba, they are present in all Cuban seashore and harbors. However, no macroalgae's nutritional supplements or pharmaceutic products in the Cuban market exist. The nutritional quality of seaweed alongside the high content of bioactive compounds with beneficial health properties, constitute two important reasons to increase consumption. Moreover, algae have in their composition protein structures that allows its incorporation into of meat and pasta foods, maintaining or improving their sensory, nutritious and healthy quality.