The Potential of a Brown Microalga Cultivated in High Salt Medium for the Production of High-Value Compounds

Abstract EN

Amphora sp.

was isolated from the Sfax Solar Saltern and cultivated under hypersaline conditions.

It contains moderate rates of proteins, lipids, sugars, and minerals and a prominent content of bioactive compounds: polyphenols, chlorophyll a, carotenoids, and fatty acids.

The analysis of fatty acids with GC/MS showed that the C16 series accounted for about 75% of Amphora sp.

lipids.

Saturated fatty acids whose palmitic acid was the most important (27.41%) represented 41.31%.

Amphora sp.

was found to be rich in monounsaturated fatty acids with dominance of palmitoleic acid.

It also contains a significant percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids with a high amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (2.36%).

Among the various solvents used, ethanol at 80% extracted the highest amounts of phenols and flavonoids that were 38.27 mg gallic acid equivalent and 17.69 mg catechin equivalent g−1 of dried extract, respectively.

Using various in vitro assays including DPPH and ABTS radicals methods, reducing power assay, and β-carotene bleaching assay, the 80% ethanolic extract showed high antioxidant activity.

A strong antibacterial activity was checked against Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus luteus) and Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae and Salmonella enterica).

These results are in favor of Amphora sp.

valorization in aquaculture and food and pharmaceutical industries.