Chemical Contents and Bioactivities of Green Algae Ulva rigida C.Agardh and Red Algae Grateloupia turuturu Yamada Extracts

Abstract

ObjectiveEdible seaweeds, valued for their rich content of bioactive compounds, have gained recognition in complementary medicine beyond their traditional role in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. Notable examples includeUlva rigidaC.Agardh andGrateloupia turuturuYamada. These seaweeds offer a promising avenue for exploring their bioactive potential in medical and dietary contexts.MethodsHexane extracts were prepared to elucidate the fatty acid composition of seaweeds via Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analyses. Subsequently, investigations were conducted to assess the cytotoxicity on human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), as well as examine the antimicrobial and anti-cholinesterase activities of extracts obtained using hexane, dichloromethane:methanol (CH2Cl2:MeOH, 1:1), methanol (MeOH), and water solvents.ResultsThe most abundant substances for theU. rigidaandG. turuturuspecies were hexadecanoic acid, octadecenoic acid, and erucic acid compounds. The CH2Cl2:MeOH (1:1) extract ofG. turuturuwas found as the highest toxicity on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells (IC50: 28.7 µg/mL).G. turuturuextracts showed inhibition onE. coliandC. albicans. The hexane extracts ofU. rigidaandG. turuturuinhibited AChE enzyme in both algae species.ConclusionThe results highlight seaweeds’ bioactive potential for therapeutic and dietary products. Further research can explore medical and nutritional applications.