Agrarian Academic Journal
doi: 10.32406/v8n5/2025/24-32/agrariacad
Phytochemical screening, total phenolic, flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of Corallina officinalis from the Algerian coast. Triagem fitoquímica, conteúdo fenólico total, flavonoides e atividade antioxidante de Corallina officinalis da Argélia.
Abdellatif Alioui
1, Benattouche Zouaoui1, Asmaa Belmimoun1
1- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Mascara, Algeria 29000. E-mail: alioui.latifbio@gmail.com
Abstract
This research conducted a comprehensive assessment of the in vitro antioxidant properties of Corallina officinalis, a red macroalga, using extracts prepared with various solvents. The methanolic extract (ME), chloroform fraction (CF), and hexane fraction (HF) were evaluated for their antioxidant efficacy through the DPPH and (FRAP) method. Phytochemical analyses were performed to measure the total phenolic and flavonoid content, employing spectrophotometric techniques. The results indicated that the methanolic extract contained the highest concentrations of phenolics and flavonoids, succeeded by the chloroform and hexane fractions. Qualitative investigation verified the existence of essential bioactive components including phenols, flavonoids, sterols, polysaccharides, and terpenoids. The methanolic extract demonstrated superior antioxidant performance, with a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 78.71% and a reducing power corresponding to an absorbance of 1.16 at 700 nm. In contrast, the hexane extract exhibited a scavenging rate of 43.11% and an absorbance of 0.98 at the same wavelength. These findings suggest that the extracts possess significant potential for antioxidant applications.
Keywords: Corallina officinalis. Antioxidant activity. Phytochemical.
Resumo
Esta pesquisa conduziu uma avaliação abrangente das propriedades antioxidantes in vitro de Corallina officinalis, uma macroalga vermelha, usando extratos preparados com vários solventes. O extrato metanólico (ME), a fração clorofórmica (CF) e a fração hexânica (HF) foram avaliados quanto à sua eficácia antioxidante através do método DPPH e (FRAP). Análises fitoquímicas foram realizadas para medir o conteúdo total de fenólicos e flavonoides, empregando técnicas espectrofotométricas. Os resultados indicaram que o extrato metanólico continha as maiores concentrações de fenólicos e flavonoides, sucedido pelas frações clorofórmica e hexânica. A investigação qualitativa verificou a existência de componentes bioativos essenciais, incluindo fenóis, flavonoides, esteróis, polissacarídeos e terpenoides. O extrato metanólico demonstrou desempenho antioxidante superior, com uma taxa de sequestro de radicais DPPH de 78,71% e um poder redutor correspondente a uma absorbância de 1,16 a 700 nm. Em contraste, o extrato hexânico apresentou uma taxa de sequestro de 43,11% e uma absorbância de 0,98 no mesmo comprimento de onda. Esses achados sugerem que os extratos possuem potencial significativo para aplicações antioxidantes.
Palavras-chave: Corallina officinalis. Atividade antioxidante. Fitoquímicos.
Introduction
Seaweeds, often referred to as marine vegetables, form the foundation of life in aquatic ecosystems and have served various purposes, including use as fertilizer, human food, and animal feed, spanning ancient to modern times (PACHECO et al., 2020). These marine organisms are categorized into three primary groups: Chlorophyta (green seaweed), Rhodophyta (red seaweeds), and Phaeophyceae (brown seaweeds). The classification is based on their pigment composition, and these groups exhibit significant variations in their metabolite compositions (PALANIYAPPAN et al., 2023). The Mediterranean contains more than eight hundred species of algae. Algeria has nearly 1,600 km of coastline, containing considerable algal diversity. Marine algae constitute a little-explored source in Algeria, although they constitute an economic development issue (CHEMLAL-KHERRAZ et al., 2024).
Seaweed is well recognized as a significant source of bioactive compounds, including proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and polyphenols, due to the fact that these chemicals exhibit significant antibacterial, anticancer, antioxidant, antifungal, and antiviral effects (SUNDARAMURTHY et al., 2016).
In recent years, there has been increasing scientific interest in the antioxidant phytochemicals found in macroalgae extracts, given their crucial role in disease prevention. Substances such as phenols, tannins, flavonoids alkaloids, phlorotannins, terpenoids, pigments, glycosides, and steroids contribute to the protection of algae from oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species in harsh environments (YUAN; WALSH, 2006; SENGUTTUVAN, 2014). These antioxidants derived from macroalgae are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of cells under environmental stress conditions (ALENCAR et al., 2016). Natural processes, such as lipid peroxidation and the generation of free radicals, are often exacerbated by exposure to prooxidants like ultraviolet radiation, air pollution, and cigarette smoke (ADAMS, 2010; HUANG et al., 2009). By inhibiting oxidative reactions, antioxidants support the maintenance of redox homeostasis within biological systems (SINHA; DABLA, 2015). Polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins have garnered considerable attention for their capacity to neutralize free radicals, hence decreasing the probability of acquiring conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and inflammation (POHANKA, 2014; BAINS; SHAW, 1997). The marine seaweed, Corallina officinalis has been shown to have a specific phenolic content, antioxidant properties, and antibacterial properties. As a result, it may be used as a source of biologically active substances (BARBA et al., 2016).
The purpose of this research sought to quantify the phenolic and flavonoid content of Corallina officinalis obtained from the Algerian coast and to assess its antioxidant capacity.
Materials and methods
Collection of algal material
Fresh Corallina officinalis samples were collected from the Mostaganem coastline in Algeria. After an extensive rinsing using tap water, the algae were cleansed with saltwater to eliminate any material adhering to their surface. The samples were transported to the laboratory under chilled conditions to preserve their biochemical integrity. Once in the lab, the algae were air-dried at ambient temperature in a shaded area, ground into a fine powder, and stored appropriately for further analysis.
Extraction
Ten grams of the dried algae powder were weighed and subjected to cold methanol extraction. The mixture was intermittently stirred for over 48 hours, followed by filtration. The crude methanolic extract was concentrated at forty degrees Celsius under reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator. A portion of the extract was partitioned using a Soxhlet extractor, successively with hexane and chloroform, each for four hours. The concentrated solvent fractions were freeze-dried and stored until use.
Phytochemical analysis
A phytochemical constituent screening was conducted on the extracts of C. officinalis, including phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phlobatannins, saponins, sterols, coumarins, terpenoids, quinones, and carbohydrates, following methods established in the scientific literature (UDDIN et al., 2014; TIWARI et al., 2011).
Determination of total phenolic and flavonoid content
The Folin-Ciocalteu colorimetric technique was employed to quantify the total phenolic content. Gallic acid was utilized as the reference, and the results were expressed as milligrams per gramme of dry matter (DM) comparable to gallic acid (WOJDYLO et al., 2007). Shafii et al. (2018) devised a refined technique for quantifying total flavonoid concentration, with results expressed as mg/g DM quercetin equivalent.
An assessment of the DPPH radical scavenging activity was conducted following a previously reported approach (GYAMFI et al., 1999). After adding one milliliter of diluted extract to one milliliter of 0.4 mM methanolic DPPH solution, the mixture was incubated in the dark for thirty minutes. A control comprising only the DPPH solution was utilized for comparative purposes during the absorbance measurement at 516 nm., with a control containing only the DPPH solution for comparison. The scavenging capacity was calculated using the formula:
DPPH Scavenging Ability (%) = |
Abs Control – Abs SampleAbs Control |
x 100 |
In this instance, “Abs” denotes the absorbance values of both the control solution and the sample solution.
FRAP assay
The ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of the extracts was evaluated according to the methodology outlined by Zubia et al. (2020). An aliquot of 0.5 mL from each extract was combined with 1.25 mL of sodium phosphate buffer (0.2 M, pH 6.6) and 1.25 mL of 1% potassium ferricyanide solution, then incubated at 50°C for 20 minutes. After cooling, 1.25 mL of 10% trichloroacetic acid was introduced, succeeded by 1.25 mL of distilled water and 0.25 mL of 10% ferric chloride solution. Absorbance was quantified, and the antioxidant capacity was articulated as milligrams of ascorbic acid equivalent per gramme of extract.
Statistical analysis
Data from three separate replicates were gathered and provided as mean values with standard deviation (SD). Statistical significance was evaluated using the Student’s t-test and the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test, with a significance threshold established at p < 0.05.
Results and discussion
Phytochemical analysis
Table 1 summarizes the phytochemical screening results for the algae extracts, revealing the presence of various bioactive constituents, such as phenols, flavonoids, tannins, sterols, terpenoids, and carbohydrates. Phenols and flavonoids were found to be the most abundant, followed by moderate levels of terpenoids, while carbohydrates and tannins were present in smaller amounts. The hexane extracts contained lower concentrations of phenols and flavonoids compared to the methanol and chloroform extracts, likely due to the limited solubility of these compounds in hexane. Similar findings by Bahammou et al. (2021) highlighted the presence of tannins, flavonoids, phenols, and steroids in C. mediterranea. Differences in bioactive compound content among studies may result from variations in algal material and extraction methods.
Table 1 – Phytochemical screening of extracts from red algae C. officinalis
Macroalgae |
C. officinalis |
||
Phytochemicals extracts |
Met |
Chl |
Hex |
AlkaloidsTerpenoidsPhenolicsFlavonoidsSterolsSaponinsTanninsAnthraquinoneGlucoside cardiotoniqueCoumarins |
—++++++++——+—+— |
—+++++——+——— |
——+++————— |
(+) and (-) signs indicate the presence and absence of the phytoconstituent, respectively.
Total phenolic content
Phenolic compounds, a crucial class of secondary metabolites, are involved in vital biological processes such as antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic activities. The extracts demonstrated phenolic content ranging from 2.5 ± 0.12 to 22.9 ± 0.26 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per gramme of dry weight (DW) extract (Figure 1). The methanol extract of C. officinalis exhibited the highest phenolic content (22.9 ± 0.26 mg GAE/g DW), significantly exceeding (p < 0.05) the hexane and chloroform extracts. These findings correspond with further studies suggesting that methanol extracts possess increased phenolic content (MORSY et al., 2018). Prior studies have recorded reduced levels of phenolics and flavonoids in Corallina species (ISMAIL, 2017).
Total flavonoid content
Flavonoids, another important group of phenolic compounds in medicinal plants, exhibit strong antioxidant activities (PIETTA, 2000). The total flavonoid content (TFC) was quantified as quercetin equivalents. Figure 1 shows that methanol extracts of C. officinalis had the highest flavonoid content (5.58 mg/g DW), followed by chloroform extracts (4.72 mg/g DW), and hexane extracts with the lowest (2.21 mg/g DW). This trend underscores the efficacy of methanol as an extraction solvent. The high levels of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in C. officinalis are likely responsible for its antioxidant properties. Literature comparisons revealed discrepancies in TFC values, which may be influenced by genetic, environmental, and seasonal factors, as well as differences in extraction techniques (KUMAR; ROY, 2018).
Figure 1 – Total phenolic and flavonoid content of various extracts of C. officinalis.
DPPH radical scavenging assay
The antioxidant activity of C. officinalis extracts was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay and the FRAP method to assess their electron-donating capabilities. As shown in Figure 2, the methanol extract exhibited the strongest DPPH radical inhibition (78.71%), followed by the chloroform fraction (65.23%), with the hexane fraction showing the lowest inhibition (43.11%) at 500 µg/mL.
Figure 2 – DPPH radical scavenging activity of different solvent of C. officinalis.
These variations in activity are likely to be due to differences in the bioactive compound composition of the extracts. The high DPPH inhibition is attributed to polyphenolic compounds capable of neutralizing free radicals, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for oxidative stress-related conditions. This study’s findings align with Ismail’s research (ISMAIL, 2017), although they differ from previous reports indicating no significant DPPH activity for certain Corallina extracts (HSAINE et al., 2019).
Ferric reducing ability
The reducing capacity of phytochemicals extracted from C. officinalis is illustrated in Figure 3, which is contingent upon concentration. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) was noted between the reducing power of the methanol extract and the chloroform and hexane fractions. The ability to decrease, shown by the conversion of Fe2+ to Fe2+, serves as a crucial antioxidant defense mechanism that entails the transfer of electrons and hydrogen atoms (OBOH, 2008). The correlation between radical scavenging activity and total polyphenolic content supports the notion that polyphenolic compounds are the principal contributors to the antioxidant activities seen in these extracts.
Figure 3 – Total reducing power of all extracts of C. officinalis.
Conclusion
The methanolic extract of C. officinalis demonstrated the highest total phenolic content and antioxidant activity, whereas the hexane fractions revealed the lowest values. The strong correlation between phenolic component content and antioxidant capability indicates that solvent selection significantly affects the extraction of bioactive chemicals. The results of this study further substantiate that methanol serves as an efficient extraction solvent. Moreover, they illustrate the possibility for additional research into the pharmacological applications of C. officinalis, particularly for oxidative stress mitigation and the discovery of active constituents.
Conflicts of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the work presented here.
Authors’ contribution
Abdellatif Alioui – execution of the experiment, guidance, corrections and revision of the text; Benattouche Zouaoui – execution of the experiment; Asmaa Belmimoun – work corrections.
Financial support
We are grateful to Mascara University in Algeria.
Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Prof Hamdi Bendif for all support.
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Received on December 1, 2024
Returned for adjustments on June 6, 2025
Received with adjustments on August 3, 2025
Accepted on August 26, 2025