Evaluation of the equivalence of lipid complexes of Fucus vesiculosus and Saccharina latissima from the Arctic region based on chemical profile and biological indices for the development of medicinal preparations

Introduction. Lipid complexes (LCs) from Barents Sea brown algae are a valuable source of biologically active compounds for the pharmaceutical industry. Despite the successful use of LCs from Laminaria algae in medicinal preparations, the potential of bladderwrack ( Fucus vesiculosus ) remains underexplored. Comparative characterization of their detailed fatty acid profiles together with biological indices is important for justifying their interchangeability and assessing the therapeutic advantages of these substances. Aim. Based on lipid profiling and biological indices, to evaluate the equivalence of LCs from Saccharina latissima and Fucus vesiculosus from the Barents Sea for drug development. Materials and methods. LCs from S. latissima and F. vesiculosus were obtained in the course of cascade seaweed processing. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC). The atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenicity index (TI), and hypo-/hypercholesterolemic fatty acid ratio (hH) were calculated, along with specific fatty acid ratios. Statistical data processing was performed using GraphPad Prism 9.0. Results and discussion. Detailed GC profiling enabled comparison of LC compositions based on 42 identified fatty acids for the first time. Overall, both LCs were comparable in terms of fatty acid profile and AI and hH indices. The LC from F. vesiculosus contained a higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and was characterized by a predominance of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (26,425 ± 1,199 μg/g). A statistically significant difference in the thrombogenicity index was found: TI was 0.53 ± 0.02 for the fucus LC versus 0.60 ± 0.02 for S. latissima ( p < 0.05). The ω-6/ω-3 PUFA ratio in the fucus LC was 0.73 ± 0.03, and the EPA/ARA ratio was 1.86 ± 0.10. The presence of odd-chain (C15:0, C17:0) and long-chain (up to C24:0) fatty acids may expand the application possibilities of the F. vesiculosus LC. Conclusion. The lipid complex from F. vesiculosus can be considered a promising alternative to S. latissima and is of interest for further study as a pharmaceutical substance for the development of new medicinal products.