A sustainable process for the recovery of volatile constituents from Gracilaria lemaneiformis in agar production and evaluation of their antioxidant activities

Abstract

Background Gracilaria lemaneiformis is a common red alga used as a raw material source for the agar industry. Its extract is rich in natural volatile constituents (VCs) having antioxidant activities. Herein, a sustainable method was used to recover VCs from the alga. The chemical composition of VCs present in the n -hexane fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) and the antioxidant potential was measured using a series of in vitro biochemical assays, including DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide radical scavenging assays. Results The recovery yield of the VCs was 0.823 wt% of the dry mass of G. lemaneiformis . A total of 25 VCs were successfully identified, comprising approximately 99.94% of the total volume. The major component was n -hexadecanoic acid (38.57%), followed by oleic acid (25.48%), arachidonic acid (12.84%), and tetradecanoic acid (2.52%). In addition, The VCs displayed strong free radical scavenging activity in the DPPH (IC 50 = 21.56 mg/L), hydroxyl (IC 50 = 18.34 mg/L), and superoxide (IC 50 = 391.12 mg/L) radical scavenging assays. The antioxidant activities of the VCs exhibited a dose-dependence at concentrations ranging from 5 to 200 mg/L. Conclusion The results indicated that the sustainable process improved the agar quality and that the extract contained many natural VCs with antioxidant activities, which have the potential to be used in functional food and cosmetics instead of as a discarded byproduct of the agar industry.

Pharmacological Importance of Gracilariopsis Lemaniformis Seaweed

“…Polysaccharide derived sulfated and acetylated derivatives from G. lemaniformis are strong antioxidants observed by Wang and the group [74]. Volatile constituents of G. lemaniformis also possesses antioxidant activities since in vitro biochemical assays such as hydroxyl radical, DPPH and superoxide radical scavenging assays performed by Yuan et al [75] demonstrated this evidence. G. lemaniformis extract derived antioxidant activities through SOD, CAT and POD mediated was also reported by many other groups [76].…”

Sulfated Galactans from Agarophytes: Review of Extraction Methods, Structural Features, and Biological Activities

“…Yuan et al [69] performed the depigmentation of G. lemaneiformis by 3-times extraction with 70% ethanol (50:1, v/w) for 30 min each time. The dried Gracilaria debilis was ground and extracted with a mixed solvent of acetone/chloroform/methanol (2:1:1; v/v/v) in a Soxhlet apparatus for 48 h to produce depigmented seaweed [24].…”

Dietary Resveratrol Ameliorates Hepatic Fatty Acid Metabolism and Jejunal Barrier in Offspring Induced by Maternal Oxidized Soybean Oil Challenge

“…21 More importantly, antioxidant compounds can protect human health and food safety from reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidizing reactions. 22 Res is a natural compound in different plants, including peanuts, grapes, pines, and berries. 23 Moreover, Res is a natural plant antitoxin with antioxidant properties.…”

“…As a source of antioxidants, plants can be used in the food industry to protect against lipid rancidity and oxidation and maintain food quality . More importantly, antioxidant compounds can protect human health and food safety from reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidizing reactions . Res is a natural compound in different plants, including peanuts, grapes, pines, and berries .…”