title: Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of cell extracts from microalgae.
abstract: A growing market for novel antioxidants obtained from non-expensive sources justifies educated screening of microalgae for their potential antioxidant features. Characterization of the antioxidant profile of 18 species of cyanobacteria (prokaryotic microalgae) and 23 species of (eukaryotic) microalgae is accordingly reported in this paper. The total antioxidant capacity, accounted for by both water- and lipid-soluble antioxidants, was evaluated by the (radical cation) ABTS method. For complementary characterization of cell extracts, a deoxyribose assay was carried out, as well as a bacteriophage P22/Salmonella-mediated approach. The microalga Scenedesmus obliquus strain M2-1 exhibited the highest (p > 0.05) total antioxidant capacity (149 ± 47 AAU) of intracellular extracts. Its scavenger activity correlated well with its protective effects against DNA oxidative damage induced by copper(II)-ascorbic acid; and against decay in bacteriophage infection capacity induced by H2O2. Finally, performance of an Ames test revealed no mutagenic effects of the said extract.
authors.affiliation: CBQF/Biotechnology College, Catholic University of Portugal, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto P-4200-072, Portugal. acatarinaguedes@gmail.com
authors.forename: A Catarina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Guedes
authors.forename: Maria S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Gião
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seabra
authors.forename: A C Silva
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tamagnini
authors.forename: Pedro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moradas-Ferreira
authors.forename: F Xavier
authors.initials: FX
authors.lastname: Malcata
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017100:Bacteriophage P22; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D058086:Microalgae / Q000737:chemistry*; D009153:Mutagens; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D012486:Salmonella typhimurium / Q000821:virology; D012995:Solubility
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D009153:Mutagens; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide