In vitro antioxidant activity of polysaccharides extracted from Bryopsis plumosa

Polysaccharides extracted from Bryopsis plumosa (Hudson).C. Ag. are a group of sulfated hetero polysaccharides, and their antioxidant activities were investigated employing various established in vitro systems. Available data obtained with in vitro models suggested that among the three samples, B3 (extraction with sodium hydroxide) showed significant inhibitory effects on superoxide radical and DPPH with IC50 values of 9.2 mu g mL(-1) and 1.7 mg mL(-1); its reducing power was also the strongest among the three samples. These in vitro results clearly establish the possibility that polysaccharides extracted from B. plumosa could be effectively employed as ingredient in health or functional food, to all deviate oxidative stress. However, comprehensive studies need to be conducted in experimental animal models. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.