Preliminary phytochemical screening and GC-MS analysis of Cladophora glomerata: green marine algae

Background: Seaweeds since ages are excellent source of biologically active ingredients. Several Asian countries have a strong tradition of using various seaweeds in herbal medicines preparations. These plants contain various phytochemical constituents having biological activities. Seaweeds are the source of phytochemicals namely agar-agar, carrageenan and algin, which are extensively used in various industries such as food, confectionary, textiles, pharmaceuticals, dairy and paper industries mostly as gelling, stabilizing and thickening agents. They are also used for human consumption, animal feed and as manure in several countries. Several Asian countries are using various seaweeds in traditional medicines.Methods: In the present study, the shade dried and methanolic extract of Cladophora glomerata, a marine green algae was subjected to preliminary phytochemical and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis(GC-MS) to identify the various bioactive components.Results: The methanolic extract of Cladophora glomerata revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, diterpenes and carbohydrates. The GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extract of Cladophora glomerata showed the presence of 42 different compounds. The major compounds were dibutyl phthalate (27.07%), hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (9.58%), 1,2-benzene-di-carboxylic acid (8.11%), octatriacontyl trifluoroacetate (6.81%), cholesterol (6.66%).Conclusions: Thus, in the present study of Cladophora glomerata, phytochemical and GC-MS analysis provides an important novel information to support further ongoing studies to evaluate structure of bioactive compound and its pharmacological activities.