Effect of solvent on the antioxidant properties of Gracilaria arcuata , Gracilaria textorri and Leveillea jungermannioides

In the present study, effect of different solvents (methanol 100%, methanol 60%, methanol 20% and water 100%) were evaluated on the extract yield and antioxidant properties of three red seaweed species including Gracilaria arcuata, Gracilaria textorri and Leveillea jungermannioides) from Chabahar coasts. Antioxidant activities of different extract were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity, reduction power and iron chelating activity methods. There was a significant difference between the extract yield of different seaweed and the highest amount of the extract (6.02g/100g seaweed) was obtained from L. jungermannioides with methanol 100% as solvent. The most antioxidant activities, measured by different assay were observed in methanol 60% extract of G. arcuata which was significantly higher than other species. The amount of the extract and antioxidant properties were significantly different between different treatments depending on the solvent ratio and the type of seaweed species. The results of the present study showed G. arcuata can be considered as potential sources of natural antioxidants.