Phlorotannins as bioactive agents from brown algae

► The importance of food bioactive compounds as functional ingredients has been well recognized. ► Marine brown algae are a rich source of natural bioactive compounds, mainly phlorotannins. ► Phlorotannins are formed by the polymerization of phloroglucinol (1,3,5-tryhydroxybenzene) monomer units and biosynthesized through the acetate-malonate pathway, also known as polyketide pathway. ► This review presents and overview of phlorotannins from marine brown algae with their health beneficial biological activities.