Antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities of antarctic krill eupausia superba

Abstract

The antioxidant and cholinesterase inhibitory activities of methanol, pretanol, and acetone extracts of Eupausia superba were investigated and their bioactivities compared. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] (ABTS+) radical-scavenging activities and reducing power assays were used to determine antioxidant activities, and Ellman's colorimetric methods were applied to evaluate cholinesterase inhibitory activity. Although all extracts were positive, Acetone extract of E. superba showed the highest activities. However, these showed moderate or no inhibitory activity against butyrylcholinesterase. Moreover, the total carotenoid contents of the organic solvent extracts followed the same order as their antioxidant and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. These results suggest that E. superba is a potential source of natural antioxidants and cholinesterase inhibitors. © The Korean Society of Fisheries and Aquatic Science.