Biochemical Study and GC-MS Analysis of Hypnea musciformis (Wulf.) Lamouroux

Abstract

Hypnea musciformis (red seaweed) was investigated for the richness of its bioactive compounds. The ethanolic extract was subjected to GC-MS analysis revealed 26 chemical constituents. Seaweed exhibits potentially bioactive major constituents like n-hexadecanoic acid-tetradecanoic acid, oleic acid-9-octadecenoic acid-6-octadecenoic acid, hexadecanoic acid-ethyl ester-ethyl tridecanoate and octadecanoic acid. Further biochemical and mineral analyses presented the phenolic content, total carbohydrate, total protein, fat, moisture content, ash, vitamins A, C and E and lipid soluble and water-soluble antioxidants. Chemical elements, such as Ca, Mg, Na, K and Fe were in highest proportion in the red seaweed.