In Vitro Comparative Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Extracts from Algicolous Fungi

ABSTRACTThe screening of potential antioxidant activities of hydrophobic (ethyl acetate) and hydrophilic (polysaccharide) extracts from both mycelia and fermentation media of eleven algicolous fungi was performed using three antioxidant assays. Algicolous fungi were able to ferment low-cost nutrients composed of potato infusion, glucose, and natural seawater and produce hydrophobic and hydrophilic metabolites with antioxidant properties. Significant differences were observed in antioxidant activities of extracts from the various species evaluated using total antioxidant activity (TAA), hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (HRSA), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), as well as their total sugar contents (TSC) of hydrophilic extracts and total phenolic contents (TPC) of hydrophobic extracts. TSC of endopolysaccharides was higher than exopolysaccharides and showed a significant correlation with both TAA and FRAP. Most of mycelial extracts were richer in phenolics than fermentation media, and TPC of ...