EXPLORING ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY IN SARGASSUM, ULVA, AND GRACILLARIA SPECIES: A PHOSPHOMOLYBDENUM ASSAY APPROACH

Abstract

This study evaluated the antioxidant potential of extracts from three different seaweed species, namely Ulva lactuca, Sargassum wightii, and Gracillaria edulis, using the Phosphomolybdenum assay. Mean optical density (OD) values obtained from the assay indicated varying levels of antioxidant activity among the seaweed extracts. Among these seaweeds, Gracillaria edulis extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, with a maximum mean OD value of 1.9±0.0005 observed at a concentration of 80 μg/mL, followed by 1.86±0.066 at 60 μg/mL concentration. Sargassum wightii displayed moderate antioxidant activity, ranging from 1.5 to 1.78, while Ulva lactuca extracts exhibited the lowest antioxidant potential, ranging from 0.80 to 0.96. Importantly, increasing the concentration of seaweed extracts significantly enhanced their antioxidant potential. The elevated OD values suggest the ability of the seaweed extracts to effectively reduce ferric ions, indicating their antioxidant activity. Overall, Gracillaria edulis extracts showed superior antioxidant activity compared to Sargassum wightii and Ulva lactuca extracts, highlighting their potential as valuable sources of natural antioxidants.