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 obtained in medium containing  3.77 g.L^-1 NaNO₃ and 100 mgL^-1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate, chlorogenate, cinnamate, pinostrobate and p-OH-benzoates. The protective action of Spirulina phenolic compounds (SPC) against CCl₄-induced in vitro hepato-toxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation was studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC₅₀ values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 ï­gmL^-1 and inhibit 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 ï­gmL^-1).

 Key words:  Spirulina maxima, antioxidant activity, carbon tetrachloride, hepatoprotective effects.