The antioxidative potential of sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera, Chlorophyta) can be triggered by light to reach comparable values of pomegranate and other highly nutritious fruits

Abstract

The interest in edible sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera) is increasing due to their potentially beneficial effect on human health. This macroalga, already used for direct and indirect human consumption, is grown in aquacultures in Vietnam and The Philippines. Here, the edible fronds of sea grapes were examined for their antioxidant activity (AOA) at light intensities from 140 to 300 µmol photons m−2 s−1 and compared to commercially dehydrated C. lentillifera and the renowned highly antioxidative fruits Pomegranates (Punica granatum), Goji (Lycium barbarum and L. chinense) and Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) berries, using an ABTS+-assay for all samples. AOA of fronds exposed to 300 µmol photons m−2 s−1 for 14 days increased by about 320% from the initial value of 72.2 ± 5.6 to 232.2 ± 34.2 Trolox Equivalents (TE) mmol 100 g−1 dry weight (DW) onto the level of Pomegranates (272.8 ± 23.0 TE mmol 100 g−1 DW). This application could be used as a post-cultivation treatment in sea grape cultures to increase the quality and nutritional value of the product.

Amelioration of obesity-related metabolic disorders via supplementation of Caulerpa lentillifera in rats fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet

“…Not only for its savory, Caulerpa species have gained popularity due to their availability, nutritional values, and general awareness as natural products ( 20 ). C. lentillifera contains sufficient dietary fibers, polysaccharides, essential unsaturated fatty acids, and protein ( 18 ). Moreover, recent research reveals potent beneficial bioactivity from C. lentillifera.…”

“…Seaweed has the potential to be cultivated as human food with its ample availability and the promising development of aquaculture, aside from fisheries ( 17 ). C. lentillifera is one of the green seaweeds that inhabit Southeast Asia and the Pacific seashore ( 18 ). It has a soft texture and palatable taste, and there are plenty of recipes for C. lentillifera as fresh vegetables ( 17 ).…”

Synthesis of Melatonin Derivatives and the Neuroprotective Effects on Parkinson’s Disease Models of Caenorhabditis elegans

“…The ABTS assay was performed in accordance with a previously reported procedure ( Schaich et al, 2015 ; Sommer et al, 2022 ). A volume of 5 ml of 7 mmol/L ABTS and 88 μL of 140 mmol/L potassium persulfate were mixed and left for 12 h at room temperature in the dark to form an ABTS + free radical reserve solution.…”

Sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera J. Agardh, Chlorophyta) for human use: Structured review on recent research in cultivation, nutritional value, and post-harvest management

“…The nutritional value was the focus of two studies from the topic "Ecophysiology". The antioxidant activity was triggered by exposure of sea grapes to light-stress and resulted in higher antioxidant activity values of light-stressed algae (300 µmol photons m −2 s −1 , 14 days), compared to the dehydrated product and similar values to that of the renowned "super fruit" pomegranate (Sommer et al 2022). However, the chlorophyll content decreased during light-stress exposure, causing a bleaching of the alga and potentially decreasing consumer acceptance (Stuthmann et al 2022).…”