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Influence of culture age on the phytochemical content and pharmacological activities of five Scenedesmus strains

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Abstract

Five axenic Scenedesmus strains (MACC-411, MACC-422, MACC-493, MACC-720, and MACC-727) were cultured and harvested after 5 and 10 days in culture. Using colorimetric methods, the concentrations of total phenolic, condensed tannin, and iridoids in 50 % methanol extracts from both 5- and 10-day-old cultures were quantified. Different solvent extracts from the strains were also tested for antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI), and antimicrobial activities using various in vitro test systems. Phenolic content was highest (3.6 ± 0.42 mg GAE g−1 DW) in 10-day-old MACC-727. This was approximately fourfold and significantly higher than in the 5-day-old cultures of MACC-727. Among the tested Scenedesmus strains, 5-day-old MACC-411 had the highest iridoid content (3.4 ± 0.3 mg HE g−1 DW), and this was significantly higher than the level detected in the 10-day-old MACC-411. Scenedesmus strains showed better antioxidant potential in the β-carotene–linoleic acid model compared to the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The AChEI activity (IC50 μg mL−1) in all strains (besides MACC-422) was higher in 10-day-old cultures compared to the 5-day-old cultures. Although a broad-spectrum of antibacterial activity was observed, the tested microalgae strains demonstrated varying degrees of antimicrobial potential depending on the harvest time, strain-type, and extracting solvent. Thus, the Scenedesmus strain and time of harvest played a significant role in determining their phytochemical content and resultant pharmacological activity. The promising bioactivity in the tested Scenedesmus strains indicates their potential as possible sources of novel/alternative antioxidants and AChE inhibitors.

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Acknowledgments

AOA is grateful for the financial support from the Claude Leon Foundation, Cape Town, South Africa. NAM was supported by the National Research Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa. The University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa is thanked for financial support. This work was also supported by the New Széchényi Plan, TÁMOP-4.2.2.A-11/1/KONV-2012-0003 Microalgal Biotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Center for Plant Growth and Development, School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal Pietermaritzburg, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa

    Adeyemi O. Aremu, Nqobile A. Masondo, Wendy A. Stirk, Vince Ördög & Johannes Van Staden

  2. Institute of Plant Biology, Faculty of Agricultural and Food Science, University of West Hungary, H-9200, Mosonmagyaróvár, Hungary

    Vince Ördög

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  1. Adeyemi O. Aremu
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  2. Nqobile A. Masondo
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  3. Wendy A. Stirk
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  4. Vince Ördög
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  5. Johannes Van Staden
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Correspondence to Johannes Van Staden.

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Aremu, A.O., Masondo, N.A., Stirk, W.A. et al. Influence of culture age on the phytochemical content and pharmacological activities of five Scenedesmus strains. J Appl Phycol 26, 407–415 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0144-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-013-0144-y

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