A Study on the Antioxidant Potential of Chaetomorpha Antennina

Seaweeds are considered as a source of bioactive compounds as they are able to produce a great variety of secondary metabolites. They are characterized by a broad spectrum of biological activities with antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal activities which acts as potential bioactive compounds of interest for pharmaceutical applications. Seaweeds are commonly categorized into three groups such as Chlorophyceae (green seaweed) Phaephyceae (brown seaweeds) and Rodophyceae (red seaweeds) on the basis of the pigments. Sulfated polysaccharides (SP) from different sources have been studied in the light of their important pharmacological activities, such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antiproliferative, antitumoral, anticomplementary, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Chaetomorpha also known as Spaghetti algae or Green hair algae, is an excellent macro algae for refugiums. Each cell grows end to end, creating long, stiff strands. It grows in filamentous clumps. Chaetomorpha is a fast growing, hardy algae that is normally grown in refugium where it absorbs nitrate and phosphate out of water as it grows. Additionally this algae is a great habitat for microfauna. Chaetomorpha sp., is able to chelate heavy metals (copper and zinc) in aqueous solutions. A heparin-like polysaccharide has been highlighted in the seaweed. Thus Chaetomorpha has the potential to be used as an antibacterial agent. The present study is aimed at screening the antioxidant potential of Chaetomorpha antennina.