Integrated enzyme-assisted hot water biorefinery for enhanced recovery of bioactive compounds from brown seaweeds
摘要
An eco-friendly biorefinery approach that effectively valorises brown seaweed biomass is critical for obtaining high value bioactive compounds. However, current methods are often limited by inefficiency, relying on single techniques or the use of harsh solvents. The present study addresses this gap by developing an integrated, green extraction process that combines a multi-enzyme system (cellulase, xylanase, alcalase) with sequential hot water treatment to enhance the recovery of bio-functional crude extracts from Sargassum polycystum, Turbinaria ornata, and Rosenvingea endiviifolia. The obtained crude extracts were analysed for yield percentage, antioxidant properties (total phenolic content [TPC], total flavonoid content [TFC], FRAP, DPPH scavenging activity, and DNA nicking assay), cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity. The sequential process combining multi-enzyme with hot water significantly outperformed extractions using single enzyme extractions process, yielding up to 16.66% crude extract with superior antioxidant properties (e.g., total phenolic content up to 592.85 mg GAE g−1, DPPH IC50 as low as 337.10 µg mL−1). Furthermore, the integrated multi-enzyme enabled key functional enhancements, imparting both antimicrobial activity against pathogens and DNA protective effects, properties that were absent in single-enzyme extracts. Cytotoxicity assessment indicated a safe therapeutic window at lower concentrations. The present study establishes that the integrated multi-enzyme and hot water biorefinery approach provides an efficient, scalable, and eco-friendly process for valorising brown seaweed biomass, yielding extracts with enhanced bioactivity for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.