Enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) for the production of antiviral and antioxidant extracts from the green seaweed Ulva armoricana (Ulvales, Ulvophyceae)

In order to develop innovative methods for the production of bioactive extracts with potential health benefits, enzyme-assisted extraction has been applied for the bioconversion of Ulva armoricana (Ulvales, Ulvophyceae). The extraction yields, chemical composition, the antioxidant and antiviral activities were determined to assess the efficiency of six commercial enzymatic preparations. Endo-protease treatments significantly increased the extraction yields compared to the control. The organic matter, neutral sugar and protein contents were increased in all extracts compared to an extraction with water, up to 2.0-fold, 2.7-fold and 1.75-fold, respectively. The samples prepared by a multiple-mix of glycosyl-hydrolases and an exo-β-1,3(4)-glucanase revealed activities against herpes simplex virus type-1 at the median effective concentration (EC50) of 373.0 ± 20.7 and 320.9 ± 33.6 μg/ml, respectively. These activities were correlated to high amounts of rhamnose, uronic acids and sulfate groups which are the main constituents of ulvans. Free radical scavenging capacity at medium inhibition concentrations (IC50) of 1.8 and 12.5 mg/ml was shown for the extracts produced with endo-protease treatments and 6.0 mg/ml for the sample resulting from the extraction with the multiple-mix of glycosyl-hydrolases. This study reports the antiviral and antioxidant activities of Ulva armoricana extracts produced by enzyme-assisted extraction.