Contribution to the Aroma, Biological Activities, Minerals, Protein, Pigments and Lipid Contents of the Red Alga: Asparagopsis taxiformis (Delile) Trevisan

Abstract: Different successive extracts of Asparagopsis taxiformis were tested for their antioxidant, anticancer, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and antiviral & antialgal activities. Ethyl acetate fraction was found to be toxic to MDBK cells, while other successive extracts were found to be non toxic. Ethyl acetate fraction assessed for the highest antioxidant activity. Methylene chloride: methanol (1:1) fraction was found to be the most active against Erlich ascites carcinoma cells. Petroleum ether (40-60 ) and water o fractions gave the highest activity against H5N1 cells. Water fraction has antialgal, antibacterial and antifungal activities, while other successive extracts, as well as volatile matters have only, antibacterial and antifungal activities. Ethanol (70 %) extract, beside its petroleum and chloroform fractions have only antibacterial activity. Distilled water extract was found to be toxic on fresh water animal (Daphnia magna), while powdered alga showed weak toxicity. Water polluted with lead and cadmium become free from both elements, after 24 hour from mixing it with powdered alga. Addition of the thallus powder to the soil, as a biofertilizer, gave significant increase in the growth of Vicia faba, either in the morphological or anatomical characters. Stigmasterol, n-eicosane were the major sterols and hydrocarbon identified in the unsaponifiable matter of the lipid fraction. Linolenic acid was the major fatty acid identified in the saponifiable matter of the lipid fraction. Heptadecane was the major component identified in the volatile matters, hydro-distillated from the alga. Sulphates, sodium and potassium were the major elements identified in the powdered alga. Phycoerthyrins and Allophycocyanin were the major pigments measured in the alga. This study was done in comparison with other studies, under the same concepts on Sargassum vulgaris, Enteromorpha intestinalis, Corallina garinefra and Gelidium pectinatum. Other comparative studies are under publication