This study aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics of the exopolysaccharides (EPS) extracted from the microalgae species Halamphora sp., as well as to evaluate their antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-apoptotic activities. The crude extracellular polysaccharides from the halophilic diatom Halamphora sp. were found to be extracellular heterosulfated anionic polysaccharides containing carbohydrates (76.33±1.80%), proteins (0.15±0.02%), uronic acids (5.44±0.08%) and sulfate (7.56±0.86%). The lowest protein (0.24%) and lipid (0.15%) contents suggested that EPS was highly pure. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the carbohydrate fraction consisted of xylose, l-galactose, d-galactose, glucose, ribitol, mannose, and inositol with corresponding mole percentages of 40.55, 13.25, 13.00, 9.95, 9.82, 2.90, and 2.28, respectively. In vitro, tests showed a high total antioxidant capacity probably related to l-galactose followed by d-galactose, uronic acid, and ribitol. In addition, extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) demonstrated effective antimicrobial Gram + properties with inhibition zones ranging from 10 to 12mm. Molecular docking showed an antiapoptotic effect, as the best docking score was generated due to the interaction of xylose and caspase 3 (-6.9kcal/mol) and l-galactose and caspase 3 (-5kcal/mol). Overall, the findings of this study suggest the possibility of using the EPS extract of Halamphora sp. as an additive for nutraceutical and cosmetic purposes.
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