Impact of Various Solvents on Yield and Activity of Phenolics and Flavonoides of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) Algae

Context: The degenerative diseases, due to generation of reactive oxygen species are one of the main human health hazards in the densly populated cities.

Objective: This study aims at providinga scientific support related to richness of antioxidants in the marine Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) algae and their high scavenging activity against various free radicals.

Materials and Methods: Three different solvents were applied on Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) algae to compare the recovery of phenolics and flavonoids. The reducing power and scavenging activity of the extracts, against hydroxyl and nitrate radicals, were assessed.

Results: The ethyl acetate extract (EAE) was superior to that of the ethanol and chloroform in obtaining the highest significant recovery of phenolics and flavonoids from Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) algae (P ˂ 0.05). In addition, the EAE had the highest significant reducing power and scavenging activity against three radicals (P ˂ 0.05) compared to other two solvents.

Conclusion: The EAE helped in uncovering the richness in antioxidants of Ulva lactuca (Chlorophyta) algae, associated with significant scavenging activity against various radicals. This scientific evidence could be as a prophylactic against degenerative diseases, pending the proof of its safety and efficacy in experimental in vivo trials.