Abstract

This work was conducted to evaluate the influence of culture conditions (nitrogen concentrations in growth medium) on characterization of some nutraceutical compounds in algal Spirulina maxima. Antioxidant and antibacterial activities as well as chemical composition of organic extracts obtained from different cultures were examined. The amounts of total carotenoids, chlorophylls-derived and phenolic compounds were associated inversely with concentration of nitrogen in growth media. The antibacterial results showed that all S. maxima extracts exhibited great potential antibacterial activities against six bacterial strains with inhibition zones ranged 7 - 18 mm and MICs values ranged 30 - 40 µg/mL. Also, allS. maxima extracts possessed potent antioxidant properties as comparable to commercial antioxidants. The chromatographic analyses of Spirulina organic extracts with TLC and HPLC showed that carotenoids, chlorophyll-derived and phenol compounds were presence as main constituents and their quantities was significantly changed dependant on culture conditions. Thus, it could be suggested that the Spirulina is useful bio-system for production bioactive compounds possess an antioxidants and antimicrobial principles and as natural pigments.

Key words: Spirulina maxima, organic extract, antioxidant activity, antimicrobial activity.