HPLC profiling of antimicrobial and antioxidant phyco sugars isolated from the South West coast of India

•Phyco-sugars isolation from seven seaweeds belonging to six species.•Evaluation of the physical properties with highlights on the specific rotation.•Evaluation of the chemical properties with highlights on the sulfate contents.•Evaluation of the in vitro biological (antimicrobial and antioxidant) properties.•Chemical speciation of the phyco-sugars using HPLC-RI techniques and inter-correlation analysis.

Phyco sugars isolated from the South West coast of India are commercially and therapeutically interesting due to their various biological activities. These sugars were isolated from six (three red and three green) seaweed species using water at 100 °C followed by precipitation using ethanol. The physical, chemical and biological characteristics were explored with specific highlights onto the specific rotation, HPLC-RI sugar speciation, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The biological properties were evaluated based on multiple methods and standards, such that the actual nature of the sugar is understood. G. corticata var. cylindrica (31.66%) had the highest sugar content. All the sugars had levo rotatory specific rotation and interesting chemical characteristics. Sugars isolated had competitive biological activities and had the presence of seven monosaccharides and one disaccharide. The results highlighted the socio-economic importance of seaweeds which could be developed as a potential source of bioactive compounds in the upcoming future.