ABSTRACT
Marine algae (macroalgae and microalgae), are able to grow under severe marine conditions by producing and harboring a plethora of bioactive compounds, yet these compounds have still remained largely unexplored. Recently, there has been an increased interest in exploiting algae as a source of bioactive peptides owing to their multifaceted health-promoting potential. Algae can accumulate high levels of protein different in composition to those of animal products and terrestrial plants and thus, both macroalgae and microalgae can be regarded as ideal starting materials for the generation and discovery of new bioactive peptides. This chapter highlights the prospects of algal biomass as viable protein sources and substrates for the generation of bioactive peptides, followed by the different methods of production, purification, identification, and validation of the algal bioactive peptides. Moreover, the chapter also encompasses the physiological bio-functionalities exhibited by the algal bioactive peptides and sheds light on the current challenges and future prospects of this emerging field of research for functional food applications.
