Antioxidant profiles of Korean brown algae revealed by multivariate analysis

This study evaluated the antioxidant activities of 23 species of Korean brown seaweed, focusing on their total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant capacities, which were assessed using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid]), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), hydroxyl radical averting capacity, and reducing power assays. Significant variations were observed among the species, with Padina gymnospora and Sargassum filicinum exhibiting the highest antioxidant activities. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed strong positive relations among total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant indices, particularly with ABTS and ORAC. Principal component analysis identified ORAC and reducing power as key contributors to the overall antioxidant variability, whereas hierarchical clustering categorized species into distinct groups based on their bioactive properties. These findings highlight the critical role of phenolic and flavonoid compounds in determining antioxidant property and species-specific variability. Korean brown seaweed is considered to have potential applications in functional foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals as a natural source of antioxidants. Further research into their bioactive components and mechanisms may facilitate their use in health-promoting industries.