Abstract
Caulerpa racemosa (Forsskal) J. Agardh is a green seaweed used as food and folk medicine since ancient times in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in southeast Asia. In this study, the proximate nutrient composition, phytochemical, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic properties of sea grape C. racemosa collected from culture fishponds in Johor, Malaysia were analysed. The contents (dry weight basis) of carbohydrate, crude protein, crude lipids, ash and caloric value obtained were 33.42 ± 1.34%, 20.27 ± 0.14%, 4.20 ± 0.32%, 28.25 ± 0.27% and 2544.67 ± 7.04 cal g−1, respectively. The amino acid score (AAs) and biological protein value (213.43 mg g−1) indicated that C. racemosa presented a better protein quality. The most abundant fatty acids were C16:0 (palmitic acid: 63.27%), followed by C18:1 (oleic acid: 5.80%), and C18:2 ῳ6 (linoleic acid: 5.33%). The analysis of the ash content indicated that essential minerals and trace elements, such as Ca, Fe, and Mn, were present in the seaweed. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) observed in the ethyl acetate extract were 17.88 ± 0.78 mg GAE g−1 and 59.43 ± 2.45 mg QE g−1, respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of C. racemosa demonstrated notable anti-diabetic activity in diabetic induced rats. The low (100 mg kg−1) and high (200 mg kg−1) doses of cultivated C. racemosa extract exhibited a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in blood glucose levels while preventing weight loss, reducing plasma AST, ALT levels as a sign of hepatoprotective effect and recording albumin levels similar to positive control in diabetic induced rats. The results support the usefulness of cultivated C. racemosa as a potential functional food.
Highlights
Marine macroalgae, commonly known as seaweed, is a phylogenetically diverse group important to maintain oceanic balance [1]
The values were higher than its tropical to subtropical species collected off the Coast of Naozhou Island, South China Sea with protein and ash composition valued at 11.39 ± 0.32% DW and 7.97 ± 0.46% DW, respectively [36]
High ash content indicates the presence of significant amount of diverse minerals [38], while the protein content in the algae makes it an important source of protein in the marine environment [39]
Summary
Commonly known as seaweed, is a phylogenetically diverse group important to maintain oceanic balance [1]. Seaweed meadow provides shelter and habitat to different marine organisms for all or part of their life-cycle [2]. Seaweeds play an important ecological role of providing nutrients and energy to marine organisms, both directly or indirectly [3]. Seaweeds are a potential source of macro and micronutrients, containing high-quality proteins, soluble dietary fiber, vitamin constituents, minerals, phytochemicals and fatty acids which offer protection against numerous neurodegenerative pathologies [4]. Technological and research advancements have promoted exploration of seaweed as functional food, energy, pharmaceuticals and medicine [5,6]. Metabolomics application has provided useful insights to discovery of novel bioactive compounds [7]
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