Plants and algae contain novel biocompounds with therapeutic potentials. These compounds are either embedded within the cell wall matrix or bonded with polymers at cell cytoplasm, which hinders release of bioactive compounds during extraction. Enzymatic hydrolysis of cell wall and cytoplasm polymers enhances the release of biocompounds while preserving their biological potencies. Previous works have focused more on comparative studies of different enzymes, whereas other process parameters, such as agitation speed, substrate particle sizes, hydrolysis time, degree of hydrolysis, and multistage extraction, have received less attention. This review examines the extent of studies in this area and highlight current research gaps to be explored in future researches.

Reversed phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used to analyze fucoxanthin content of two species of Malaysian brown seaweeds, Turbinaria turbinate, and Sargassum plagyophyllum. The fucoxanthin contents of T. turbinata and S. plagyophyllum were 0.59 ± 0.08 and 0.71 ± 0.01 mg/g dry-weight, respectively. Ultraviolet spectrum of fucoxanthin showed the maximum absorbance at 450 nm. Furthermore, the HPLC chromatograms of purified all-trans-fucoxanthin from showed one major peak with a retention time of 7.8 min.

Astaxanthin is one of the main carotenoid pigments. It has beneficial effects on the immune system of the human body due to its powerful antioxidant properties. The application of this bioactive compound can be found to be significant in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. The aim of this research was to investigate astaxanthin yield from six species of Malaysian shrimp carapace. Six types of shrimp species—Parapenaeopsis sculptili, Metapenaeus lysianassa, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, Metapenaeopsis hardwickii, Penaeus merguiensis, and Penaeus monodon—were used to investigate total carotenoid content and astaxanthin yield. The investigation was carried out using chemical extraction and high-pressure processing (HPP) methods at 210 MPa, for a period of 10 min with a solvent mixture of acetone and methanol (7:3, v/v). HPP was proven to have a significant impact in increasing the total carotenoid content and astaxanthin yield. The highest total carotenoid content and astaxanthin yield is shown to be contained in the Penaeus monodon species. Total carotenoid was increased from 46.95 µg/ml using chemical extraction to 68.26 µg/ml using HPP; yield of astaxanthin was increased from 29.44 µg/gdw using chemical extraction to 59.9744 µg/gdw using HPP. Therefore, comparison between the HPP and chemical extraction methods showed that HPP is more advantageous with higher astaxanthin yield, higher quality, and shorter extraction time.

Fucoxanthin has interesting anticancer activity, but is insoluble in water, hindering its use as a drug. Microencapsulation is used as a technique for improving drug delivery. This study aimed to formulate fucoxanthin-loaded microspheres (F-LM) for anticancer treatment of H1299 cancer cell lines and optimize particle size (PS) and encapsulation efficiency (EE). Using response surface methodology (RSM), a face centered central composite design (FCCCD) was designed with three factors: Polyvinylalcohol (PVA), poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and fucoxanthin concentration. F-LM was produced using a modified double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. The F-LM were characterized for release profile, release kinetics, and degradation pattern. Optimal F-LM PS and EE of 9.18 µm and 33.09%, respectively, with good surface morphology, were achieved from a 0.5% (w/v) PVA, 6.0% (w/v) PLGA, 200 µg/mL fucoxanthin formulation at a homogenization speed of 20,500 rpm. PVA concentration was the most significant factor (p < 0.05) affecting PS. Meanwhile, EE was significantly affected by interaction between the three factors: PVA, PLGA, and fucoxanthin. In vitro release curve showed fucoxanthin had a high burst release (38.3%) at the first hour, followed by a sustained release stage reaching (79.1%) within 2 months. Release kinetics followed a diffusion pattern predominantly controlled by the Higuchi model. Biodegradability studies based on surface morphology changes on the surface of the F-LM, show that morphology changed within the first hour, and F-LM completely degraded within 2 months. RSM under FCCCD design improved the difference between the lowest and highest responses, with good correlation between observed and predicted values for PS and EE of F-LM.

The Muslim community has recently become more aware of the food they eat, especially Muslim minorities in secular areas. This awereness is increased along with increasing adulteration and substitution of expensive meat for cheaper material. Hence, meat authentication has become a major concern for both consumers and researchers alike. Many analytical methods for detecting Halal meat have been developed to address issues with meat authentication, such as HPLC, FTIR, GCMS and PCR. Nanotechnology has recently shown great potential in biosensing applications for Halal meat products. Rapid testing, cheaper materials and portability of gold nanoparticle-based sensors are expected to change conventional sensing of Halal meat. Selected molecules and types of meat was one of the target for developing gold nanoparticles in the detection. Detection of meat products using gold nanoparticles is based on the colour changed of its optical properties. This article reviewed the application of gold nanoparticles for Halal authentication of meat and meat products. Furthermore, the recent development in preparation of gold nanoparticles and current challenges are also discussed. Gold nanoparticles shows great potential to detect specific meats in meat products. Several traditional and modern meat processed products have been tested on the application of gold nanoparticles, such as meat ball and burgers. However, detection of meat adulteration on real food samples should be done before the comercialization. Limit of detection of gold nanoparticles in analysis shows an increment. Gold nanoparticles offer new alternative to expensive method. In adition, specific detector for different animal meats of interest need to be designed.

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