Potential use of ultrasound in antioxidant extraction from Ecklonia cava

Water and methanolic extracts of Ecklonia cava, a marine brown alga, were prepared by ultrasonic extraction (UE) and conventional extraction (CE) methods. The radical-scavenging activity and the inhibitory effects against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2-induced DNA damage of the extracts were investigated. All extracts prepared by CE exhibited higher total polyphenolic content than that in the extracts prepared by UE. Extraction yield and total phenolic content increased as the UE time increased. The radical-scavenging activities increased as the UE time increased. All extracts prepared by CE exhibited higher 1,1-diphenyl-2-pricrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activities than did those prepared by UE. Extracts prepared by UE showed stronger scavenging activities on alkyl radical and H2O2 than those prepared by CE did. Methanolic extract with UE 12 h (100MEU-12h) and methanolic extract with CE 24 h (100MEC-24h) were selected and evaluated by comet assay for their inhibitory effect against H2O2-induced DNA damage. 100MEU-12h showed slightly greater protective effect against H2O2-induced DNA damage than 100MEC-24h. Thus, UE can be effectively used as a seaweed extraction technique, and there is potential for scale-up of the extraction process.