GC–MS-BASED PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND ANTIOXIDANT EVALUATION OF SPATOGLOSSUM SOLIERI

Objectives: The objective of this study was to analyze the phytochemical content of brown alga Spatoglossum solieri and evaluate its ability to scavage free radicals. Methods: The phytochemical screening of the thallus was performed using different solvent extracts (Aqueous, methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, benzene and petroleum ether). The total phenolic and flavonoid content was estimated and the phytoconstituents was analyzed using GC-MS. The in vitro antioxidant assays i.e., DPPH scavenging, hydroxyl radical scavenging, superoxide radical scavenging, ABTS scavenging and reducing power were performed. Results: Phytochemical investigations revealed that methanol and ethanol extracts were rich with a wide range of secondary metabolites such as coumarins, catechins, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, tannins, terpenoids, sugars, steroids and xanthoproteins. The total phenolic and flavonoid content exhibited 62.77mg GAE/g and 41.74mg GAE/g respectively. GC-MS identified 13 different phytocompounds in the ethanol extract of S. solieri. The major phytocompound includes Neophytadiene, Hexadeconic acid, ethyl ester, Ethyl oleate, Paromomycin, 1-Methyl-4[nitromethy]-4-piperidinol, 8-Ketocopaenal, 4,9-dihydroxy-6-methyl-3,10-dimethylene-3a,4, 3-H-Cyclodeca[b]-furan-2-one, Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1 (hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester and 1,1-Cyclobutanedicarboxylic acid. Methanol extract demonstrated the highest DPPH, hydroxyl, and ABT radical scavenging capacity in terms of in vitro antioxidant activity. The extract with the highest superoxide radical scavenging ability was ethanol. Similarly strongest reducing power was demonstrated by methanol extract. Conclusion: The rich secondary metabolites may be the reason for its remarkable antioxidant activity, which has rendered it pharmacologically significant. In conclusion, there is a great deal of need for additional research into S. solieri active principle in order to pinpoint more of its pharmacological characteristics.