Phycochemistry of some Sargassum spp. and their cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities

Abstract

Purpose A comparative study on the chemical composition as well as cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of the brown algae Sargassum asperifolium, Sargassum dentifolium, and Sargassum linifolium (family: Sargassaceae) from the Red Sea, Hurghada, Egypt, is carried out. Methods The volatile constituents obtained by hydrodistillation as well as the isolated unsaponifiable matter and the fatty acids were analyzed using the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry technique. Antitumorigenic activities of the crude extracts of the three algae have been evaluated in vitro on different human cell lines. Furthermore, the antimicrobial activities of the volatile constituents, successive extractives, unsaponifiable matter, and fatty acids have been tested on 11 different microorganisms. Results The analysis of the volatile fraction led to the identification of sexual pheromones, terpenes, phenolic compounds, free fatty acids, and esters. The most abundant sterols of unsaponifiable matter were fucosterol and cholesterol in all algae. Palmitic acid was found in all investigated algae as a major fatty acid. Biological screening proved that the tested algae have various cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities. Conclusion S. asperifolium, S. dentifolium, and S. linifolium are rich in cytotoxic and antimicrobial bioactive metabolites.