Phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity of the Philippine marine green alga (Ulva pertusa)

The phytochemical constituents, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the ethanolic extract of the marine green alga Ulva pertusa collected from floating fish net cages off the coast of Guimaras island, Philippines, were investigated. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. Quantitatively, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extract were 20.54±2.08 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE) g-1 and 539.07±6.36 mg rutin equivalent (RE) g-1, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extract using 1,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay exhibited a concentration-dependent radical scavenging capacity. Additionally, the ethanolic extract inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Escherichia coli ATCC25922, Streptococcus agalactiae, Aeromonas hydrophila, A. sobria, and Vibrio harveyi in a concentration-dependent manner with strong inhibitory activity at 100 mg mL-1 concentration. Taken together, U. pertusa contains bioactive compounds that possess potent antibacterial activity and remarkable antioxidant capacities. These substances are promising candidates that may be utilized in the synthesis of novel drugs.