Anticoagulant Effect and Platelet Bioactivities of a Novel Cephalopod Byproduct Oil

Platelets and sustainability

One of the most important questions that need an urgent answer is the one of the climate change which is linked to valorisation of side streams in food industries.

On this topic, our team has a patent on valorising Olive pomace (OP)

PRODUCTION METHOD OF FISH FEED ENRICHED WITH POLAR LIPIDS AND METHOD TO ENRICH FARMED FISHES.

Today, we are research active on valorising salmon heads and Irish pelagic fishes, assessing their bioactivities against the aggregation of the platelets.

Platelets activities of side streams

We have a strong collaboration with the team of Prof Eleni Kalogianni and here is our latest publication with her team.

Anticoagulant Effect and Platelet Bioactivities of a Novel Cephalopod Byproduct Oil

Mar. Drugs 2026, 24(5), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/md24050150

Submission received: 8 March 2026 / Revised: 16 April 2026 / Accepted: 16 April 2026 / Published: 23 April 2026

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Marine Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Agents, 5th Edition)

Abstract

This study investigates the effects of a novel marine byproduct oil extracted from the cephalopod Nototodarus sloani (Arrow squid) on human platelets and red blood cells (RBCs). The oil was produced using enzyme-assisted extraction under varying pH conditions without further refining. The level of oxidation of the different oils was determined. Hemocompatibility and oxidative effects were evaluated after 24 h of incubation at physiological and fever-like conditions. Hemolysis levels varied with extraction conditions and with the amount of oil in contact with the cells. Oils extracted using 0.5% Alcalase^® and 1% Protamex^{TM ®} at pH 5.9 demonstrated superior hemocompatibility. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels presented a dose-dependent increase, with higher levels observed in oils extracted at a higher pH. Although there was no direct correlation between hemolysis rate, ROS levels and oxidation, the less oxidized oils presented lower ROS formation and better hemocompatibility. Additionally, the oils exhibited a strong anticoagulant effect and low IC₅₀ values against TRAP-6-induced platelet aggregation. These findings highlight the potential of Nototodarus sloani as a source of bioactive compounds, providing initial evidence of potential cardiovascular benefits and resource valorization, underlining the importance of extraction conditions in determining the biological properties of marine byproduct oils.

Platelets, thrombosis and Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of death worldwide (estimated 19.8Μ (millions) in 2022, accounting for 32% of all global deaths (WHO, 2026). According to Irish Heart Foundation (2026), in Ireland alone, 9,000 people die of CVD every year, while 62 million Europeans live with CVD at a cost of €282 billion per year. In the US, according to Centers of Control Disease and Prevention (CDC), about 941,600 people die from heart disease (1 in every 3 deaths) each year, i.e. one person dies every 34 seconds from CVD (2026). To put these numbers into perspective, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 are around 7.1m since December 2019. The need for preventive solutions is overwhelming — and growing.

Statins block the biosynthesis of cholesterol and they have a myriad of side-effects as shown in my latest monograph.

Therefore, a new approach is needed. Polar lipids’ ability to inhibit the aggregation of platelets is a promising research avenue.