Comparative extraction and antioxidant potential of bioactive compounds from Fucus vesiculosus: Kinetic modeling and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS phenolic profiling

Abstract

This study explores efficient bioactive compounds extraction from Fucus vesiculosus (FV) seaweed using Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and Solid Liquid Extraction (SLE). Varied ultrasound intensities (UI) (58.8, 103.1 and 164.5 kW m−2 for U1, U2 and U3, respectively) were employed, and Peleg's model simulated extraction kinetics, revealing UAE's remarkable 10-min equilibrium contrasted with SLE's 3 h, showcasing UAE's time efficiency. UAE, particularly at U3, yielded significantly higher Total Phenolic Content (TPC) and Uronic Acid Content (UAC) compared to SLE, reaching maximum concentrations of 2.26 ± 0.01 g PGE 100 g−1 DFV and 7.87 ± 0.11 g GAE 100 g−1, respectively. Increased UI enhanced DPPH and ABTS antioxidant activities, while low UI resulted in higher FRAP values. After 20 min of extraction, U3 demonstrated superior DPPH scavenging activity (5.75 ± 0.23 μM TE g−1 DFV), surpassing that of SLE after 20 h of extraction (4.76 ± 0.11 μM TE g−1 DFV). Additionally, U3 displayed elevated ABTS values (8.92 ± 0.33 μM TE g−1 DFV) compared to 6.46 ± 0.41 μM TE g−1 DFV for SLE, with no significant difference observed in FRAP values. These results highlight U3's enhanced antioxidant potential in comparison to SLE. The chromatographic analysis identified six main compounds through UPLC-Q-TOF-MS and HPLC. Higher concentrations of phloroglucinol, gallic acid, catechin, protocatechuic acid, and chlorogenic acid were observed in U3. However, SLE exhibited a higher ferulic acid content. Future research aims to explore phloroglucinol derivatives and FC, contributing to FV' potential applications.