Exploration of some Tunisian lagoon macrophytes

Macrophytes are a potential resource of new antioxidant compounds that can be used in many fields. The variability of phenolic compounds contents and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of 6 species of algae and 2 Magnoliophytes was studied. A first screening based on the variability of phenolic compounds contents allowed to select 4 species. After a differential fractionation by a set of solvent, the study of their phenolic compositions as well as their antioxidant activities, was made. The results showed a decrease of the phenolic compounds contents for the 3 algae, while for the Magnoliophyte Ruppia cirrhosa, an increase of these contents was recorded after fractionation. Then, a second screening, allowed to select the 2 most interesting species which are Caulerpa prolifera and R. cirrhosa, whose antimicrobial activity was evaluated. From the results obtained, it appears that R. cirrhosa is distinguished from the other species studied by its richness in phenolic compounds, its considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.