Phlorotannins are polyphenolic compounds mostly found in brown seaweed and are comprised of polymeric chains of phloroglucinol residues (1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene) connected via C–C and/or C–O–C couplings. Due to the presence of highly complex polymeric mixtures of structural and conformational isomers of phlorotannins and the absence of available commercial phlorotannin standards, accurate chemical identification from extracts using MS/MS is difficult. Therefore, the optimal approach for identification of specific phlorotannins includes both NMR (1D and 2D) analysis coupled with HRMS. Herein, a library (¹H and ¹³C) of the reported phlorotannins has been generated to assist with further identification. Additionally, a range of phlorotannins have been ascribed bioactivity and potential use as nutraceuticals and supplements, including trials of phlorotannin-rich extracts used as nutritional supplements in livestock feed to improve overall growth and condition. Bioactivity studies have identified neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and microbiome-beneficial properties, highlighting a multi-faceted potential of phlorotannins. Overall, the majority of such findings have been generated via biochemical and cell-based assays, with only a limited number of in vivo animal experiments conducted. Further preclinical and clinical studies will be required to comprehensively investigate bioavailability, efficacy and safety of phlorotannins, to further define the potential of these unique brown algal polyphenols in animal and human health.

鼠尾藻多酚大多在褐海藻中发现的多酚化合物并且由通过C-C和/或C-连接的间苯三酚的残基（1,3,5-三羟基苯）的聚合链的ö -C耦合。由于邻苯二酚单宁的结构和构象异构体的高度复杂的聚合物混合物的存在，以及缺乏可用的商业邻苯二酚单宁的标准品，使用MS / MS从提取物中进行准确的化学鉴定非常困难。因此，鉴定特定的邻苯二酚单宁的最佳方法包括结合HRMS的NMR（1D和2D）分析。这里是一个图书馆（¹ H和¹³C）已生成报告的邻苯二酚单宁，以帮助进一步鉴定。另外，一系列的邻苯二酚单宁被认为具有生物活性，并有潜力用作营养保健品和补品，包括对富含邻苯三酚单宁的提取物作为牲畜饲料中营养补充剂以改善总体生长和状况的试验。生物活性研究已经确定了神经保护，抗糖尿病，抗癌，抗氧化剂，抗炎，抗微生物和微生物组有益特性，这突出了phlorotannins的多方面潜力。总体而言，大多数此类发现是通过生化和基于细胞的分析产生的，体内仅有有限的数量进行动物实验。将需要进一步的临床前和临床研究，以全面研究间苯二酚的生物利用度，功效和安全性，以进一步确定这些独特的褐藻多酚在动物和人类健康中的潜力。