Identification of chlorophyll molecules with peroxyl radical scavenger capacity in microalgae Phormidium autumnale using ultrasound-assisted extraction

- Industrial wastes were used to Phormidium autumnale microalgae production.
- The characterization of chlorophyll molecules of the microalgae is reported.
- A total of eleven chlorophylls were separated and seven identified.
- The peroxyl radical scavenging capacity of chlorophyll extract was assessed.
- The microalgae is a potential source of bioactive chlorophylls.

The identification of chlorophyll molecules with peroxyl radical scavenger capacity in microalgae Phormidium autumnale was determined. The ultrasound-assisted extraction was utilized for obtaining the chlorophyll compounds from biomass. A total of eleven molecules were separated in microalgae chlorophyll extract, with pheophytin a′ (371 μg·g− 1) and chlorophyll a (159.3 μg·g− 1) as the major ones. The chlorophyll extract was shown to be a potent scavenger of peroxyl radical, being almost 200 times more potent than α-tocopherol. These facts suggest the microalgae Phormidium autumnale as potential source of bioactive tetrapyrrole compounds.