Abstract

EXPLORING THE BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL: PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND HPTLC FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS OF PALMARIA PALMATA, A MARINE RED ALGA

Dr. Thiruvengadarajan V. S.*, Oviyaa J., Dr. Rajasekaran A., Dr. Arivukkarasu R. and Ponnilavarasan I.

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Abstract

Seaweed species, particularly Palmaria palmata, are renowned for their rich repository of bioactive compounds with diverse biological activities. Seaweeds, thriving in harsh environments, have evolved mechanisms to counteract oxidative stress. The marine red alga Palmaria palmata was collected from Maine Coast Sea Vegetables Inc. Hancock, Maine, USA. Soxhlet extraction by using methanol was performed, and the resultant extract underwent qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis using standard methods. The Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Carbohydrates, Amino acids, flavonoids, and Saponins. HPTLC emerges as a promising tool for fingerprinting, HPTLC fingerprinting was conducted using an n-butanol: acetic acid: water (4:1:1v/v) solvent system, and chromatograms were scanned at 254nm, revealing the presence of eight different phytoconstituents with Rf value 0.14, 0.24, 0.54, 0.61, 0.74, 0.75, 0.84, and 0.89. The overlay spectrum with standard confirms the presence of Tryptophan, Rutin, Caffeic acid, and Gallic acid. The HPTLC (High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography) technique can carry out routine quality control of various plant extracts. This method is useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis and can be used to standardize the extract. HPTLC is a highly promising tool for fingerprinting, as it allows for simultaneous analysis of multiple samples, and uses minimal solvents.

Keywords: HPTLC, Palmaria palmata, Red algae, Flavonoids, Amino acids.