Abstract

The solvent extracts of a red alga Grateloupia lancifolia were used to evaluate biofunctional activities. The diethyl ether extract showed the highest total phenolic content and biological activities. The IC₅₀ value of the diethyl ether extract on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was 113.8 g/ml. In the reducing power test, the half maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀) values of the diethyl ether, water and methanol extracts were 1.21, 1.74 and 3.96 mg/ml, respectively. In the linoleic acid system, all the extracts had significantly higher inhibitory activity than -tocopherol (p < 0.05). The diethyl ether extract had the highest tyrosinase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities with the IC₅₀ values of 47.8, 99.8 and 23.7 g/ml, respectively. Therefore, the G. lancifolia extract could be used as a potential source for the development of dietary foods, food products and additives.

Key words: Grateloupia lancifolia, red alga, anticholinesterase, antioxidant, antityrosinase.