Effect of Extraction Method on the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Caulerpa prolifera(Forssk.) J.V. Lamour. (Chlorophyta) Extract

Abstract

This study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Tunisian <i>Caulerpa prolifera</i> extracts using two different extraction methods. The total phenol, flavonoid, and condensed tannin contents of <i>C. prolifera</i> extract obtained by successive extraction were lower (1.57 mg EAG/g, 1.45 mg C/g and 2 mg C/g, respectively) than those obtained by maceration (3.67 mg GAE/g, 1.93 mg C/g and 3.50 mg C/g, respectively). <i>Caulerpa prolifera </i>extracts obtained by the two extraction methods were inactive using DPPH activity. A decrease of antioxidant activity was found by using reducing power (IC₅₀ varied from 1.72 to 6.97 mg/mL) and &beta;-carotene bleaching (IC₅₀ varied from 3.42 to 5.66 mg/mL) assays after fractionation. However, there was an increase in the antioxidant activity following the chelating power assay with IC₅₀ varying between 6.91 to 3.44 mg/mL. <i>Caulerpa prolifera </i>extracts obtained by successive extraction had the greatest antimicrobial activities against all tested strains (IZ &#61; 2-9 mm) when compared to those obtained by maceration.