Biotechnological Potential of Sargassum ilicifolium Seaweed: A Proximate Composition of Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Hypoglycemic Bioactive Compounds

Abstract

Seaweed has gained significant attention due to its extensive use in nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Therefore, this study was conducted to perform proximate analysis, screen and quantify phytochemicals, and analyze the pharmacological potential of Sargassum ilicifolium (S. ilicifolium) extract via antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and antioxidant activities. The results of the proximate composition revealed 38.2±1.1% ash, 9.3±0.9% moisture, 23.4±1.1% protein, and 3.1±0.2% fat. The methanol extract increased the levels of alkaloids (26.3±0.9 g PE/g), phenols (145±3.1 mg GAE/g), and flavonoids (97.5±3.1 mg QE/g). The methanol extract exhibited strong activity, with a zone of inhibition of 27±2 mm against E. faecalis and a 22±0 mm zone of inhibition against S. aureus. The phytochemicals in the methanolic extract had a greater total antioxidant capacity (58.2±0.8%) than did the ethyl acetate extract (49.4±0.4%) and the water extract (44.6±0.3%) at 2.5 mg/mL The S. ilicifolium extract also exhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. The seaweed inhibited tyrosinase activity in the ethyl acetate extract but not in the methanol or water extracts. The seaweed S. ilicifolium exhibited bioactivity and biotechnological potential, as evidenced by its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic properties.