title: Valuable compounds in macroalgae extracts.
abstract: Bioactive compounds present in ethanolic extracts from 18 macroalgae of the Portuguese coast were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), leading to the characterization of 14 compounds: proline, phloroglucinol, mannitol, 8 fatty acids and 3 sterols. A dose-dependent response against enzymes with biological significance (α-glucosidase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase) and free radicals (DPPH, nitric oxide, superoxide and hydroxyl) was found, Phaeophyta being the most promising group. A PCA analysis was performed and allowed the establishment of a correlation between the algae chemical composition and the biological activity. Cystoseira tamariscifolia (Hudson) Papenfuss, Cystoseira nodicaulis (Withering) M. Roberts, Cystoseira usneoides (Linnaeus) M. Roberts and Fucus spiralis Linnaeus are among the most active species, which is in accordance with their higher contents in phloroglucinol, mannitol, oleic, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids, and fucosterol. The results point to the potential interest of the use of Phaeophyta species as food additives, due to their potent antiradical activities, and especially highlights the importance of F. spiralis in the food chain of Mediterranean countries. Moreover, the incorporation of the extracts of these species in food products, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical preparations for human health should also be instigated, since they can suppress hyperglycemia and inhibit cholinesterases.
authors: REQUIMTE/Laboratório de Farmacognosia, Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira No 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
authors: Paula B
authors: PB
authors: Andrade
authors: Mariana
authors: M
authors: Barbosa
authors: Rui Pedro
authors: RP
authors: Matos
authors: Graciliana
authors: G
authors: Lopes
authors: Juliana
authors: J
authors: Vinholes
authors: Teresa
authors: T
authors: Mouga
authors: Patrícia
authors: P
authors: Valentão
mesh_terms: D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D012624:Seaweed / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D002091:Butyrylcholinesterase