Fatty acid composition of the marine red algae Dichotomariaobtusatafrom the Persian Gulf

INTRODUCTION: Marine algae have various biological and medicinal benefits such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungi effects.The aim of the present study was the analysis of water and methanol extracts of a red algae Dichotomariaobtusata to find the potent beneficial ingredients of the algae. METHODS: Dichotomariaobtusatasa mples were collected in June 2017 from the coast al area of Bushehr City in Persian Gulf, Iran. Aqueous and methanolic extracts were prepared. Algae extractswere analyzed for the co mposition and quantification of fatty acids by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). RESULTS DISCUSSION: The GC-M S analyses of the algae extracts resulted in identification of eleven fatty acids in the methanol and water extracts of D. obtusata. The majorfatty acidin water extracts of D. obtusata was pal mitic acid (32.9%), while the majorfatty acidin methanolic extracts was γ-linolenic acid (46.97% ).According to the previous reports fatty acids found in marine algae play important roles in th e treatment of diseases. The detected FFAs in D. obtusata extracts indicated that D. obtusata contains different biologically active compounds w hich can be used as antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory medicines. CONCLUSION: Marine algae are ex amined thoroughly for their unique properties because Compounds extracted from algae are v ery suitable for biocompatibility, and do not have the side effects of drug synthesis.