Marine by-product phospholipids as booster of medicinal compounds

Abstract

Marine phospholipids are defined as phospholipids containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) or eicosapentaenoic acid that would be more effective than fish oil, which is mostly composed of triacylglycerol, in exerting health benefits. Marine phospholipids would boost the effect of both the health-beneficial hydrophilic and the hydrophobic compounds such as cell differentiators, anticancer compounds, and antiobesity compounds. When marine phospholipids are served as liposomal drinks, they would be more effective than adding into solid foods or feeds. As long as the liposome bilayer is basically composed of marine phospholipids, they would promote the encapsulated functional compounds. And this is the principal advantage of choosing marine phospholipids as liposomal membrane. Bioconversion of marine phospholipid would also be advantageous in delivering DHA into the desired tissue. For example, lysophosphatidylserine obtained through phospholipase D-mediated transphosphatidylation and phospholipase A₁ or sn-1 positional specific lipase-mediated partial hydrolysis seemed to be the most effective chemical form in delivering DHA into brain.