Evaluation of antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content of sea urchin Echinometra mathaei from the Persian Gulf

Free radicals, having one or more unpaired electrons in the outer orbit, which are oxygen-centred free radicals, sometimes known as reactive oxygen species (ROS). The oxidative stress imposed by ROS plays an important role in many chronic and degenerative diseases. The aim of the present research was undertaken to study the antioxidant activity and polyphenolic content in the different extracts of sea urchin Echinometra mathaei. Different extracts (spine, shell, gonad and aristotol lantern) of sea urchin were isolated by three solvents (n- hexan, ethyl acetate, methanol). Antioxidant activity of extracts was assessed by measured reducing power, DPPH free radical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity assays, and compared with the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluent (BHT) and Ascorbic acid. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were measured spectrophotometrically. According to the results of the study, highest the reducing power and free radical-scavenging activity of the methanolic shell and methanolic spine, respectively. In total antioxidant capacity assay, the antioxidant activity of aristotol lantern ethyl acetate, spine and gonad n-hexan was higher as compared to that of the ascorbic acid. The highest total phenol and flavonoid compound content per gram of the methanolic spine were 0.0044±0.0003 mg gallic acid equivalents and 24.616±0.7167 mg quercetin equivalents, respectively. Significant differences were observed at P