Marine Functional Foods: Nutritional Value, Health Benefits, and Applications

Marine ecosystems harbor a remarkable diversity of biological resources, ranging from seaweed, microalgae, and cyanobacteria to fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. These resources are increasingly recognized as rich reservoirs of functional foods that provide not only basic nutrition but also bioactive compounds with distinct physiological benefits. Marine polysaccharides, peptides, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and unique secondary metabolites have been shown to exhibit antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, and antitumor activities. Advances in biotechnology and analytical chemistry have greatly facilitated the isolation, structural characterization, and activity evaluation of these compounds. Importantly, marine functional foods are gaining prominence in human health management, where dietary interventions and natural products are valued as complementary strategies for preventing or mitigating chronic conditions. However, significant challenges remain in standardizing extraction methods, improving bioavailability, clarifying mechanisms of action, and establishing strong clinical evidence to support regulatory approval and consumer confidence.The goal of this Research Topic is to present cutting-edge advances in nutritional evaluation, health-promoting mechanisms, and applications of marine functional foods. We aim to bring together interdisciplinary contributions spanning food chemistry, nutrition science, pharmacology, and food technology. This collection will showcase how marine-derived compounds can be harnessed to promote human health, address global nutritional needs, and support sustainable development. By fostering a platform for innovative methodologies, mechanistic insights, and translational research, this Topic will advance our understanding of how bioactive marine resources can be effectively utilized in the design of functional foods and nutraceuticals.● Extraction, structural characterization, and quality evaluation of bioactive compounds from marine resources.● Nutritional profiling and bioavailability studies of marine functional foods.● Mechanistic insights into immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, or antiviral activities of marine-derived bioactives.● Food product development, processing technologies, and formulation strategies for marine functional ingredients.● Clinical and preclinical evidence supporting the health benefits of marine functional foods.● Sustainability, safety, and regulatory perspectives in developing marine-based health products. Topic editors: Wanzi Yao, Kit-Leong Cheong, Hua-Mai Qiu, Suresh Veeraperumal Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/74630/marine-functional-foods-nutritional-value-health-benefits-and-applications