Exploring the Potential of Invasive Species Sargassum muticum: Microwave-Assisted Extraction Optimization and Bioactivity Profiling

SILVA, AURORA; CASSANI, LUCIA; CARPENA, MARIA; LOURENÇO-LOPES, CATARINA; GROSSO, CLARA; CHAMORRO, FRANKLIN; GARCÍA-PÉREZ, PASCUAL; CARVALHO, ANA; DOMINGUES, VALENTINA F.; BARROSO, M. FÁTIMA; SIMAL-GANDARA, JESUS; PRIETO, MIGUEL A.

MARINE DRUGS

MOLECULAR DIVERSITY PRESERVATION INTERNATIONAL-MDPI

Año: 2024 vol. 22

1660-3397

Sargassum muticum (SM) poses a serious environmental issue since it is a fast-expandinginvasive species occupying key areas of the European shoreline, disrupting the autochthonous algaespecies, and disturbing the ecosystem. This problem has concerned the general population and the scientificcommunity. Nevertheless, as macroalgae are recognized as a source of bioactive molecules, theabundance of SM presents an opportunity as a raw material. In this work, response surface methodology(RSM) was applied as a tool for the optimization of the extraction of bioactive compoundsfrom SM by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Five different parameters were used as targetfunctions: yield, total phenolic content (TPC); and the antioxidant measurements of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and β-carotene bleaching (BC). After the optimal extraction conditionswere determined (time = 14.00 min; pressure = 11.03 bar; ethanol = 33.31%), the chemicalcomposition and bioactivity of the optimum extract was evaluated to appraise its antioxidant capabilityto scavenge reactive species and as a potential antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiproliferation,and neuroprotective agent. The results lead to the conclusion that MAE crude extract has bioactiveproperties, being especially active as an antiproliferation agent and as a nitric oxide and superoxideradical scavenger.