title: Seasonal changes of α-tocopherol in green marine algae (Caulerpa genus).
abstract: Marine algae are a promising source of beneficial compounds for human use. Among these, pro-vitamin A carotenoids and vitamins B, C, and E stand out. The objective of this study was to investigate seasonal variation of α-tocopherol levels in 5 species of green marine algae of the Caulerpa genus. This research was carried out with both fresh and dry specimens; and, in addition, differences arising as a result of the drying process were examined. Analyses were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using an isocratic system and a reversed-phase C-18 column. The distribution of α-tocopherol throughout the year in Caulerpa genus was variable. All samples of both fresh and dried algae contained α-tocopherol, except for the dried C. racemosa from March 2006. The drying process was responsible for losses of α-tocopherol ranging from 21% to 93%.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Bioquímica Marinha-HPLC, Centro de Ciências Agrárias, Dept. de Engenharia de Pesca, Univ. Federal do Ceará, Campus do Pici, Av Mister Hull s/n, Cx Postal 6.043-CEP 60.455-970, Fortaleza, CE, Brasil. kelmapires@gmail.com
authors.forename: Kelma Maria Dos Santos
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pires-Cavalcante
authors.forename: Daniel Barroso
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: de Alencar
authors.forename: Márcia Barbosa
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.forename: Alexandre Holanda
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Sampaio
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Saker-Sampaio
mesh_terms: D002338:Carotenoids / Q000032:analysis; D000460:Chlorophyta / Q000737:chemistry*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D012621:Seasons; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000032:analysis; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D002338:Carotenoids; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol