ANTIOXIDANT AND FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING CAPACITY OF RED SEAWEED HYPNEA VALENTIAE FROM RAMESHWARAM COAST TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Objectives: In this study, In-vitro antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Hypnea valentiae was evaluated in a series of in vitro assays. Antioxidants are vital substances which possess the ability to protect the body from damage caused by free radical induced oxidative stress.Methods: The evaluation of antioxidant properties was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis 3ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), nitric oxide scavenging assay (NO), reducing power, superoxide, hydroxyl radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide radical assay, the metal chelating activity as well as phosphomolypdenum assay.Results: Among the tested red algae, the maximum antioxidant activity was recorded in the methanol extract of Hypnea valentiae. Whereas methanol crude extract of red algae and diatom showed good antioxidant potential.Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest that all seaweed extracts could be a potential source of natural antioxidant that could have great importance as therapeutic agents.Â