Enzyme-assisted extraction is a cost-effective, safe, and efficient method to obtain bioactives from plant materials. During this study, 10 different marine algae from Sri Lanka were individually extracted by using five commercial food-grade carbohydrases. The enzymatic and water extracts of the seaweeds were analyzed for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The highest DPPH, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and intracellular H2O2 scavenging abilities were observed from the Celluclast extract of Sargassum polycystum (CSp). CSp exerted protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death in hydrogen peroxide-induced Chang cells and in model zebrafish. The Celluclast extract of Chnoospora minima (CCm) showed the strongest anti-inflammatory activity against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages (IC50 = 44.47 µg/mL) and in model zebrafish. CCm inhibited the levels of iNOS, COX-2, PGE2, and TNF-α in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Hence, CSp and CCm could be utilized in developing functional ingredients for foods, and cosmeceuticals.
Keywords: Antioxidant; Celluclast; Chnoospora minima; Enzyme-assistant extraction; Marine algae; Sargassum polycystum.