Extraction of antioxidant bioactive compounds from Iranian native Chlorella sp. Microalgae

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESIn recent years, the demand for natural antioxidants as an alternative to synthetic antioxidants has increased. Therefore, the microalgae have become a source of molecules for a healthy life. Their valuable compounds like peptides, carbohydrates, lipids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds and vitamins makes them a promising new source of antioxidant molecules. The antioxidant capacity of each microalgae can depend on kind of species and solvent for extraction of various antioxidant compounds.MATERIALS AND METHODSThis study aimed to investigate the antioxidant capacity of Iranian native two species Chlorella sp. (a) and Chlorella sp. (b) microalgae. In order to, the microalgae were extracted using methanol, ethyl acetate and hexane solvent by a three-step sequential extraction procedure.RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONThe maximum scavenging of the ۲.۲-diphenyl-۱-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical (۲۷% and ۲۲% inhibition at ۱ mg/mL) were observed for ethyl acetate and methanol extract in (a) and (b) treatments, respectively. In addition, the methanol extract showed the maximum antioxidant capacity in a ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity with a value ۹۶۴.۸ μM Fe۲+ in (b) treatment and ۷۰۵.۸ in (a) treatment at the concentration of ۱ mg/mL. After methanol extract, the maximum antioxidant capacity were observed in the ethyl acetate and then hexane extract, respectively. These results indicated depend on kind of species, the methanol solvent could extract the maximum compounds with the highest FRAP activity.CONCLUSIONTherefore, more studies can help to find the best microalgae species and extraction solvent for accessing the highest antioxidant capacity for using in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries.

کلیدواژه ها:

Chlorella sp ، ۲.۲-diphenyl-۱-picrylhydrazyl radical ، ferric-reducing antioxidant power activity ، methanol extraction.