Evaluation of Phytocompounds and Chemical Elements Present In Selected Species of Seaweeds, to Sustain Future Quantitative Analysis for Bioactive Compounds

摘要

Introduction: The specific physiological capacity of marine organisms, including seaweeds, to survive in extreme environmental conditions is associated to the production of secondary metabolites. Seaweeds are known as powerful source of a broad range of bioactive compounds. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the phytocompounds and chemical elements present in eight species of seaweeds which occur around Inhaca Island, Mozambique. Specifically, Halimeda cuneata , Pseudorhizoclonium africanum , Pseudocodium devriesii , Dictyota suhrii , Gracilaria salicornia , Hypnea rosea , Laurencia natalensis and Jania adhaerens . Methods: For phytocompounds and chemical elements screening, seaweeds samples were dried, ground to powder and extracted using methanol as solvent. The analyses were performed using GC-MS analysis, Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence, and colorimetric protocols for phytocompound analysis. Results: A total of 82 phytocompounds were identified. Phytol and Z-8-Methyl-9-tetradecenoic were present in all samples analysed, while Cetene, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-methyl ester, Desmoterol, Octadecanoic acid, and Oleic acid were the less common phytocompound identified. Campesterol, gama-Sitoesterol, Cholest-5-en-ol, 24-propylidene-(3.beta) are phytosterols only identified in green seaweeds. The concentration of chemical elements among the seaweeds species was different. However, Ca, Cl and K were presented in high concentration in some of the seaweeds analysed. Conclusion: Overall, the seaweeds analysed in this study, seems to be good candidate for further biotechnological application and deserve further investigation.