Abstract
Three macroalgae collected at Madeira Island were included in this study to determine their potential for drug, nutraceutical, food, or supplement application. Fatty acid content was higher in Zonaria tournefortii (12.32 mg g−1 dw) with 16.58% of PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5ω3), and arachidonic acid (20:4ω6) having concentrations of 2.59 and 1.17%, respectively. The anti-thrombogenic and anti-atherogenicity potential was higher for Z. tournefortii due to relevant fatty acids in the biochemical composition this macroalgae. Lipid classes were assessed in the lipid extract and neutral lipids (NL) were in higher yield in Asparagopsis taxiformis (51.16%) and lower in Z. tournefortii (26.96%). The glycolipids (GL) were between 36.03 and 16.11% in Z. tournefortii and Ulva lactuca. Phospholipids (PL) fraction varied from 35.91 and 31.60% in A. taxiformis and Z. tournefortii. TLC screening identified that U. lactuca contains phytol and cholesterol in its NL, digalactosyldiacylglycerol in its GL, and cardiolipin and L-α-phosphatidylcholine in its PL. Zonaria tournefortii contains phytol and cholesterol in its NL classes, and the PL classes contain L-α-phosphatidylethanolamine and 1-(3-sn-phosphatidyl)-rac-glycerol. The macroalgae A. taxiformis revealed cholesterol in its NL fraction and the same phospholipids as Z. tournefortii in its PL fraction. ATR-FTIR analysis enabled a “fingerprint” spectra and important sulfation absorption bands were identified, revealing the functional polysaccharides within these macroalgae. Anti-cholinesterasic activity was assessed in A. taxiformis, with a low IC50 for AChE (8.92 ± 0.43 μg mL−1) and BuChE (13.96 ± 0.32 μg mL−1), demonstrating dual inhibitory activity, justifying the interest to identify the active principle which may be the scaffold of a novel drug.
Highlights
Nowadays, intensive research is conducted worldwide to explore and determine the nutritive, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical potential of innumerous extracts from organic materials
Total lipids were higher in Z. tournefortii (9.66 ± 0.30 g (100 g)−1 dw), followed by A. taxiformis (6.08 ± 0.45 g (100 g)−1 dw) and U. lactuca (1.33 ± 0.03 g (100 g)−1 dw)
The results have shown that lipid extractions (LE) extracts were more active AChE inhibitors when compared with ethanol extracts (EE), as seen by the lower IC50 values and/or higher inhibition percentages at 150 μg mL−1
Summary
Intensive research is conducted worldwide to explore and determine the nutritive, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical potential of innumerous extracts from organic materials. 3 cE3c–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes/ Azorean Biodiversity Group and Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Portugal due to their intrinsic biochemical composition, derived from evolutionary adaptation to the harsh conditions of high salt concentration, desiccation and herbivory, and extreme variations in sunlight and temperature fluctuation. Seaweeds have a low lipid content but are considered a potential source of functional lipids due to their enormous stock in coastal waters. Among total lipids (TL), lipid composition and quantity varies according to species, geographical origin, and environmental conditions (Miyashita et al 2013). TL are further divided in lipid classes such as glycolipids (GL), triacylglycerols (TAG), and phospholipids (PL). In these classes, fatty acids exist as saturated fatty acids (SFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), and polyunsaturated fatty acids
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