A Comprehensive Analysis of Total Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Properties, GC-MS Profiling, and Molecular Docking of Alkaloids in Selected Red Seaweeds
GC-MS Profiling, and Molecular Docking of Alkaloids in Eucheuma spinosum
Abstract
Red seaweed contains numerous phytochemicals with notable antioxidant capabilities. This research aimed to evaluate the total phenolic content and antioxidant properties of selected red seaweeds (Eucheuma spinosum, Gelidiella acerosa, Gelidium amansii, Palmaria palmata) extracts, along with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling and a molecular docking study of identified alkaloids from the most active extract. Different crude extracts of selected red seaweeds were macerated using 80% methanol. The Folin-Cioucalteu method was used to determine the total phenolic content. The antioxidant activities of the extracts were assessed through ABTS and FRAP assays. The extraction yield ranged from 4.81 to 7.35%. The total phenolic content (TPC) varied from 3.50 to 10.46 mg GAE/g DW. The antioxidant activities, measured by ABTS and FRAP assays, ranged from 96.27 to 172 mg TE/g DW and 254.81 to 731.22, respectively. E. spinosum exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity. A positive correlation was observed between total phenolic content and antioxidant activities. Several bioactive metabolites, including alkaloids, corticosteroids, phenols, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and steroids, were identified from the most active extract through GC-MS analysis. The identified alkaloids from E. spinosum were subjected to an in silico molecular docking using AutoDock Vina software to assess their potential binding patterns with the catalase (CAT) receptor (2CAG). The binding affinities of alkaloids 22, 23, 24 and 26 were found to be −10.0, −10.1, −8.4 and −6.8 kcal/mol, respectively. These values indicate that alkaloids 22 and 23 have a stronger propensity to bind to the receptor compared to trolox (−8.4 kcal/mol). These findings highlight the potential of red seaweed, particularly E. spinosum, as a valuable source of natural antioxidants with significant binding affinities, suggesting promising applications in health and pharmaceutical industries.
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