Marine Bioactive Materials: From Design Strategies to Biological Properties and Multidisciplinary Applications

Marine bioactive materials are obtained from diverse organisms, which include algae, sponges, corals, and mollusks. These materials possess unique chemical structures and evolutionary traits that provide key benefits, such as high biocompatibility, controllable biodegradability, and a minimal immune response. This article highlights their applications in food science for functional foods and packaging and in biomedicine for targeted drug delivery using fucoidan nanoparticles and tissue engineering. A primary emphasis is placed on how integrating nanotechnology can innovatively enhance their functionality. We also identify critical research gaps that include an unclear connection between structure and performance at the nanoscale and challenges in sourcing raw materials. These insights are intended to guide the creation of next-generation health solutions that originate from marine resources.