Searching for antigenotoxic properties of marine macroalgae dietary supplementation against endogenous and exogenous challenges

The functional characterization of marine macroalgae toward their potential to strength genome protection is still scarce. Hence, the aim of this study was to assess the antigenotoxic potential of <i>Ulva rigida, Fucus vesiculosus</i>, and <i>Gracilaria</i> species in <i>Drosophila melanogaster</i> following dietary exposure and adopting the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART). All macroalgae displayed a genoprotection activity, namely against an exogenous challenge (streptonigrin). The action against subtler endogenous pressures was also noted indicating that supplementation level is a critical factor. <i>Gracilaria</i> species provided ambivalent indications, since 10% of <i>G. vermiculophylla</i> inhibited the egg laying and/or larvae development, while 10% of <i>G. gracilis</i> promoted spontaneous genotoxicity. The effects of <i>U. rigida</i> were modulated (in intensity) by the growing conditions, demonstrating higher genoprotection against streptonigrin-induced damage when grown in an aquaculture-controlled system, while the effectiveness against spontaneous genotoxicity was more apparent in specimens grown under wild conditions. In contrast, <i>F. vesiculosus</i> did not produce significant differences in its potential under varying growing conditions. Overall, these findings shed some light on the macroalgae ability toward genome protection, contributing to the development of algaculture industry, and reinforcing the concept of functional food and its benefits.