The In vitro Antioxidant, Anti-obesity, and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Microalgae Extracts of Tetraselmis suecica Cultivated under Sodium Acetate and Sodium Nitrate Supplementations

Nor Shahril, Nor Shafiqah; Abu Bakar, Mohamad Hafizi; Kassim, Mohd Asyraf; Karunakaran, Thiruventhan; Shariff, Khairul Anuar

doi:10.30491/jabr.2024.467256.1755

The In vitro Antioxidant, Anti-obesity, and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Microalgae Extracts of Tetraselmis suecica Cultivated under Sodium Acetate and Sodium Nitrate Supplementations

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Nor Shafiqah Nor Shahril ¹

Mohamad Hafizi Abu Bakar ¹

Mohd Asyraf Kassim ¹

Thiruventhan Karunakaran ²

Khairul Anuar Shariff ³

¹ Bioprocess Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

² Centre for Drug Research, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

³ School of Materials & Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Penang, Malaysia

10.30491/jabr.2024.467256.1755

Abstract

Introduction: Microalgae are versatile microorganisms known for producing bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study focused on the biological properties of Tetraselmis suecica, cultivated under supplementation of sodium acetate and sodium nitrate, to identify their potential as functional ingredients.
Materials and Methods: Tetraselmis suecica was first cultivated in media supplemented with sodium acetate and sodium nitrate. Biomass was quantified, and crude extracts were prepared for the measurement of total phenolic content. Extracts with the highest biomass and phenolic content were further evaluated for biological activities, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The chemical composition of the extracts was analyzed using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).
Results: The combined supplementation of sodium acetate and sodium nitrate produced the highest dry cell weight and phenolic content in both ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts. The ethanol extract demonstrated significant antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects against pancreatic lipase activity. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited notable radical scavenging activity and anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting proteinase denaturation and attenuating TNF-α production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 macrophages. The FTIR analysis revealed the functional groups, including amines, esters, and halocarbons in the extracts, while LC-MS identified bioactive compounds such as alpha carotene, cantaxanthin, rutin, quercitrin, and apigenin-O-rutinoside.
Conclusions: The study demonstrates that Tetraselmis suecica extracts, cultivated under sodium acetate and sodium nitrate supplementation, possess significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, providing potential for use in nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.

Keywords

Tetraselmis suecica

Bioactivities

Nutrient Supplementation

Secondary Metabolites