Abstract
The objectives of this work were to extract and characterize fatty acids of Scenedesmus obliquus and to separate, quantify, and evaluate the antioxidant capacity of carotenoids and phenolic compounds of this microalga. The microalga cells were disrupted by using ultrasound. The centesimal composition of lyophilized cells was determined. Fatty acids of the oil were converted into methyl esters and analyzed by gas chromatography (flame ionization detector) to obtain the fatty acid profile. Acetone, petroleum ether, and hexane were the solvents applied to extract the carotenoids and ethanol was used to separate the phenolic compounds. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was determined by the DPPH method. The amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids corresponded to 47.31% of the total for unsaturated, with the predominance of linolenic acid (16.74%) and approximately 9.70% of omega-6. The content of extracted carotenoids was higher by using hexane. Total phenolics concentration of 1.12 g ∙ 100 g -1 microalga was found. High percentages of oxidation inhibition were observed for the extracts of carotenoids (>88%) and phenolic compounds (>72%). Therefore, Scenedesmus obliquus presents itself as an alternative, natural, and sustainable source of bioactive compounds.
Highlights
Microalgae have been researched as an attractive source of bio-compounds for the biofuel, cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries (SASSI et al, 2019; SATHASIVAM et al, 2019), such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, carotenoids, phenolics compounds, minerals, and vitamins
The results found in the present study from the fatty acid profile of microalga S
It is noticeable that the carotenoids and phenolic compounds extracted from the microalga Scenedesmus obliquus presented antioxidant activity with up to 95% inhibition even when using low concentrations
Summary
Microalgae have been researched as an attractive source of bio-compounds for the biofuel, cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries (SASSI et al, 2019; SATHASIVAM et al, 2019), such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, carotenoids, phenolics compounds, minerals, and vitamins. The food industry interest resides in the microalgae capability to be an alternative material, non-climate-dependent that grow on non-arable and non-productive land and do not compete with food production sites (CHAN et al, 2013; WAGHMARE et al, 2016). These microorganisms, as compared with other traditional plant sources, exhibit greater efficiency in the conversion of solar energy to biomass, which results in high growth rates (10 to 50 times faster than plants) (CHEN et al, 2016; WAGHMARE et al, 2016). The abundance of proteins and other essential nutrients in microalgae can be an alternative for the high production of healthy and functional foods (KRISHNA KOYANDE et al, 2019; MAADANE et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
