Comparative Phycochemical Investigation and Antioxidant Content of Two Marine Seaweeds

Abstract

Marine algae are recognized to be a good source of vital nutrients, such as carbohydrates, protein, and minerals, and a range of other health-promoting chemicals that can treat different ailments and diseases. While these marine macroalgae are strongly established in East Asian culture as nutritional habits, the phycocolloid industry has been their primary application in Western countries. However, as seaweed consumption becomes more widespread around the world, this condition is changing dramatically. Several edible seaweeds, such as Ulva green algae and Turbinaria brown algae, have a high nutritional value and are considered rich sources of dietary fibers and minerals. Furthermore, their abundance of bioactive chemicals including phenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids make them great prospects for a wide range of medicinal applications, including antioxidant activity. The nutritional and phycochemical compositions of two marine weeds, as well as the health benefits associated with their consumption, were disclosed by the results of this study. Turbinaria decurrens ethanol extract has a greater phenolic content (174.53 mg GAE/g extract) than Ulva lactuca ethanol extract (108.10 mg GAE/g extract). The presence of quercetin and gallic acids in both extracts of T. decurrens and U. lactuca is confirmed by qualitative examination of data collected by HPLC. Seaweeds and/or their components are also addressed as functional ingredients in the production of novel and enhanced foods.