Microalgae as a Potential Functional Ingredient: Evaluation of the Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant Activity and In-Vitro Enzymatic Inhibitory Effect of Different Species

Abstract

The functional food market has been in a state of constant expansion due to the increasing awareness of the impact of the diet on human health. In the search for new natural resources that could act as a functional ingredient for the food industry, microalgae represent a promising alternative, considering their high nutritional value and biosynthesis of numerous bioactive compounds with reported biological properties. In the present work, the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and enzymatic inhibitory effect aiming at different metabolic disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity) were evaluated for the species Porphyridium purpureum, Chlorella vulgaris, Arthorspira platensis, and Nannochloropsis oculata. All the species presented bioactive diversity and important antioxidant activity, demonstrating the potential to be used as functional ingredients. Particularly, P. purpureum and N. oculata exhibited higher carotenoid and polyphenol content, which was reflected in their superior biological effects. Moreover, the species P. purpureum exhibited remarkable enzymatic inhibition for all the analyses.

Keywords: Arthorspira platensis; Chlorella vulgaris; Nannochloropsis oculata; Porphyridium purpureum; cholinesterase; functional food; pancreatic lipase; α-amylase.

Figure 1

Antioxidant potential of the different microalgae species. (a) ABTS radical scavenging activity, (b) FRAP antioxidant assay, and (c) ORAC antioxidant assay. Different letters (a, b, c) indicate significant differences (p < 0.05). TE = Trolox equivalent. Pp = P. purpureum; Cv = C. vulgaris; Ap = A. platensis; No = N. oculata.