Antioxidant activity and contents of bioactive components in polar microalgae

Abstract

In this study, bioactive components such as polyohenols, flavonoids and tocopherols were determined in cultured polar microalgae (Fragilariopsis pseudonana, Chaetoceros neogracile, Stellarima microtrias, Porosiara pseudodenticular). Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of polar microalgae was also investigated. α-Tocopherol contents of Fragilariopsis pseudonana were almost two times higher than those of Chaetoceros neogracile. The antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of Fragilariopsis pseudonana determined by ABTS assay was higher than other algae. Total polyphenol contents of methanol extracts also showed a similar trend as antioxidant activity. The protective activity against oxidative damages induced by glutamate in PC 12 cells was shown in only Chaetoceros neogracile.