ALPHA AMYLASE AND ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITION ACTIVITY OF SELECTED EDIBLE SEAWEEDS FROM SOUTH COAST AREA OF INDIA

Abstract

Objective: The present work was to investigate the alpha amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of the selected edible seaweeds.Methods: The seaweeds namely Acanthophora spicifera, Gracilaria corticata, Gracilaria edulis, Ulva lactuca and Ulva reticulata were selected for this study. Six and eight hours of ethanol and aqueous extract were used for the estimation of alpha amylase using DNS method and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity.Results: The study reported that the solvent from ethanol and aqueous in eight hours of extraction showed a higher inhibitory activity than six hours of extraction. Maximum of 89.1±0.96 and 79.55±3.08 percent of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition activity were detected in the eight hours of aqueous extract (0.5 ml) of Ulva reticulata and Gracilaria edulis respectively. All the selected edible seaweeds had significant differences (p<0.05) in alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibition activity between the selected seaweeds with different extracts.Conclusion: It was concluded that all the selected edible seaweeds have the potential to act as a potent inhibitor of the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme. Thus, it was clear from the study that seaweeds incorporated in small amounts in the dishes consumed in the daily diet can bring a control on postprandial blood glucose level.