Phenolic Prophile Of Macroalgae: Stypocaulon scoparium, Corallina elongata and Cystoseira abiesmarina

Abstract

The identification and quantification of phenolic compounds in three algae, red and brown species, from Gran Canaria were carried out to examine their antioxidant profile. Crude extracts were prepared using several solvents: methanol, water and water/methanol (1/1). The phenolic composition of algae extracts was determined by using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and confirmed by comparing retention times (RT) and overlapping UV spectra with those of standard compounds. Significant differences in the total phenolic content were detected. Gallic acid was by far the predominant polyphenol in Stypocaulon scoparium extracts; catechin and epicatechin were most abundant in Cysto- seira abies-marina extracts and epicatechin was found in greater amount in Corallina elongata. The total phenolic contents determined with Folin–Cicolteau‘s phenol reagent ranged from 123.2 to 328.7 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of dry algae powder. Algae extracts showed antioxidant activity measured as inhibition of radical 1,1–diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. The antioxidant activity and the high amounts of polyphenols found indicated that these algae are ideal for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries.