Main description:

The Pharmacological Potential of Cyanobacteria explores the bioactive compounds isolated from cyanobacteria and their relationship to human health and biotechnological applications. The book presents an overview of the chemistry and ecology of cyanobacteria, focusing on culture needs and techniques of biomass production. It is organized according to the different biological activities and biotechnological applications of compounds discovered in recent years. Besides biological activity, the mechanism of action of compounds is explained, along with molecular structure. Finally, compounds already used in therapeutics and biotechnology, as well as those in phases of approval or clinical trials are explored.

Each chapter is written by a different research group with expertise in the field and publications in peer reviewed journals. Researchers and students in pharmaceutical academic research, pharmaceutical industrial sector personnel, health professionals, and nutritionists will find this book to be very useful.

Contents:

1. Trends in Cyanobacteria: A contribution to systematics and biodiversity studies 2. Specialized Metabolites from Cyanobacteria and their Biological Activities 3. Cyanobacterial anti-cancer compounds in clinical use. Lessons from the dolastatins and cryptophycins 4. Anti-inflammatory activity of cyanobacteria 5. UV-protective secondary metabolites from cyanobacteria 6. Antimicrobial activity of Cyanobacteria-derived compounds 7. The role of toxins: Impact on human health and aquatic environments 8. Cyanobacterial pigments: photosynthetic function and biotechnological purposes 9. Cyanobacteria in cosmetic: a natural alternative for anti-aging ingredients 10. The nutraceutical potential of cyanobacteria