Planta Med 2008; 74 - PC75
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1084593

Antioxidant appraisal and LC-MS characterization of some freshwater and marine macrophytes and algae

I Orhan 1, M Kartal 2, M Abou-Asaker 2, FS Şenol 1, T Atici 3, B Şener 1
  • 1Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, 06330 Ankara-Turkey
  • 2Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, 06100 Ankara-Turkey
  • 3Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Gazi University, 06500 Ankara-Turkey

Antioxidants are the substances that may protect our cells against the effects of free radicals, which are the highly reactive chemicals that attack molecules by capturing electrons and thus modifying chemical structures. Well-known antioxidants of natural origin include beta-carotene, vitamins E and C, phenolics, and flavonoid derivatives.

On the other hand, use of synthetic antioxidants is in decline due to their safety and toxicity problems. Therefore, interest in plant-originated food additives is increasing to replace their synthetic counterparts. Scientists are more and more turning their attention to algae as ingredient factories, particularly nutritional ingredients. For example; asthaxanthin, a carotenoid-derivative compound, has been quite popular for its strong antioxidant effect.

In the current study, we aim to investigate in vitro antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extracts of a number of fresh-water algae; Chara hispida L., Cladophora glomerata (Dilw.) Kütz, C. fracta (Dilw.) Kütz, Spirogyra sp., Mougetia sp., Vaucheria sp., Geminella mutabilis (Breb.) Wille, a cyanobacterium; Spirulina sp., the fresh-water plants; Ranunculus rionii Lagger and Ceratophyllum demersum L., as well as the marine algae; Sciniaia furcellata (Turn.) J. Agardh, Dictyota dichotoma (Huds.) Lam., Padina pavonia (L.) Gaill., Halopteris scoparia (L.) Sauvagau, and the sea grass; Posidonia oceanica (L.) Dell. using 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity test and ferric-reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0mg/ml concentrations. Gallic acid and butylated hydroxyl anisol (BHA) were emplyoed as references. Total phenolic contents of the extracts were also determined using Folin-Ciocalteau reagent.

The extracts were analyzed by LC-DAD-MS for their phenolic acid and vitamin C contents. The ethanolic extracts of P. pavonia and R. rionii were the most active ones, whereas several others contained vitamin C and were moderately active.

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