Mediterranean Seaweeds as Source of Bioactive Compounds: Case Study of Some Red Algae (Rhodophyta) from North Coast of Tunisia

Red seaweeds contain high amounts of fiber, proteins and minerals; they are also a great source of vitamins. Several bioactive properties have been described for this group such as antimicrobial activity, antioxidant and antiproliferative activity, antifouling activity and anticancer activity. This study screens the antioxidant and antibacterial proprieties of twelve red macroalgae collected from the Tunisian coast. Total polyphenols, flavonoids and tannins contents were estimated in methanolic extracts. The DPPH antiradical scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity highlighted four species with significant activity: Hypnea musciformis, Asparagopsis armata, Sphaerococcus coronopifolius and Pterocladiella capillacea. Antimicrobial activity was obtained for five species. This study confirms the potential use of species collected from Tunisian coast as a source of bioactive compounds.