Green treasures: phytochemical screening and antioxidant potential of freshwater species of Oedogonium, Ulothrix and Mougeotia (Chlorophyceae)
Natural antioxidant compounds from plants can contribute to pharmacological activities by neutralizing free radicals. Limited research has explored the phytochemical characteristics of filamentous green algae and their antioxidant properties. In this study, three filamentous green algal species, Oed...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Applied Phycology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26388081.2024.2441148 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | Natural antioxidant compounds from plants can contribute to pharmacological activities by neutralizing free radicals. Limited research has explored the phytochemical characteristics of filamentous green algae and their antioxidant properties. In this study, three filamentous green algal species, Oedogonium angustistomum, Ulothrix variabilis and Mougeotia pulchella (Chlorophyceae), were isolated from freshwater ecosystems of Kerala, and their phytochemical constituents, antioxidant activities and total phenol and flavonoid contents were evaluated. The study investigated whether sequential extraction with solvents of varying polarity, such as petroleum benzine, acetone, methanol, water and methanol crude (70% methanol), would affect the total phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activities of the algae. Results indicated that methanol crude extracts had the highest yield in Ulothrix and Mougeotia and aqueous extracts were highest in Oedogonium, while petroleum benzine fractions yielded the lowest. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of reducing sugars, flavonoids, phenolic compounds and triterpenoids in the acetone extract, which contained more compounds. There were higher total phenolic and flavonoid contents in the acetone extracts, except for Mougeotia, for which the aqueous extract had higher content. There were differing effects on antioxidant activity and phenolic content among solvents with different polarities. The extracts of Oedogonium showed promising antioxidant activities with the acetone extract, aqueous extract and methanol crude extract being potent free-radical scavengers of DPPH, nitric oxide and hydroxyl free radicals, respectively. The aqueous extract of Ulothrix was a prominent scavenger of superoxide radicals. A concentration-dependent inhibition of DPPH, nitric oxide, hydroxyl radicals and superoxide anion was observed for the extracts. The three algal extracts studied appear to contain significant amounts of antioxidants, which might prevent the progression of various oxidative stresses in vitro. To be considered for clinical use in pharmaceutical or nutraceutical industries, extracts must be assessed for their in vivo antioxidant activity. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2638-8081 |