Abstract

This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulinamaxima grown in Zarrouk’s medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO₃) and/or phenylalanine (L-PA); attaining highest production were obtained in medium containing 3.77 gL^-1 NaNO₃ and 100 mgL^-1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the pre-sence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate, chlorogenate, cinnamate, pinostrobate and p-OH-benzoates. The protective action of Spirulinaphenolic compounds (SPC) against CCl₄-induced in vitro, hepato-toxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation were studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC₅₀values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 µg.mL^-1 and inhibited CCl₄-induced lipid peroxidation in hepato-microsoms model, in dose-depended manner. Their protective potential was comparable to that of standard phenolic antioxidants such as BHT, BHA and α–tocopherol (IC₅₀ values ranged from 13.22 to 23.62 µg.mL^-1).

Key words: Spirulina maxima, antioxidant activity, carbon tetrachloride, hepato-protective effects.