Annotation of GC‐MS Data of Antimicrobial Constituents in the Antarctic Seaweed Phaeurus antarcticus by Molecular Networking

Abstract

Phaeurus antarcticus is a member of the Desmarestiaceae family endemic to the Antarctic Peninsula. Reports addressing its chemical composition and biological activities are scarce. Herein, bioactive non‐polar compounds of P. antarcticus against pathogenic bacteria, Leishmania amazonensis and Neospora caninum parasites were targeted through GC‐MS Molecular Networking and multivariate analysis (OPLS‐DA). The effects on horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were also evaluated. P. antarcticus exhibited selective bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus with MIC and MBC values from 6.25 – 100 µg.mL‐1. Fractions HX‐FC and HX‐FD were the most active against L. amazonensis with EC50 ranging from 18.5 – 62.3 µg.mL‐1. Additionally, fractions HX‐FC and HX‐FD showed potent inhibition of N. caninum at EC50 values of 2.8 and 6.3 µg.mL‐1, respectively. All fractions inhibited HRP activity, indicating possible interactions with Heme proteins. It was possible to annotate compounds from tree mains clusters, containing terpenoids, steroids, fatty acids, and alcohols by correlating the spectral data of the GC‐MS analysis with Molecular Networking and the OPLS‐DA results.