Discriminating Marine Macroalgae by Volatilomic Fingerprint and Bioactivity: A Chemometric Approach

Area of Science:

• Marine Biology and Biochemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Natural Product Chemistry

Background:

• Marine macroalgae are recognized as sustainable feedstocks for bioactive compounds.
• Understanding species-specific volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles and their link to antioxidant activity is crucial for their valorization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the volatilomic fingerprint, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), and antioxidant capacity of four distinct marine macroalgae species.
• To correlate volatilomic data with bioactivity and identify species-specific VOC markers.

Main Methods:

• Volatilomic fingerprinting using headspace solid-phase microextraction tandem gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS).
• Quantification of TPC and TFC using established in chemico assays.
• Evaluation of antioxidant capacity using in chemico assays.
• Multivariate statistical analyses for data interpretation and species discrimination.

Main Results:

• A total of 59 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified, with carbonyl compounds, hydrocarbons, and organohalogens being the most abundant.
• Significant differences in volatilomic profiles allowed clear discrimination between the four macroalgae species.
• Rugulopteryx okamurae displayed the highest TPC, TFC, and antioxidant capacity.
• Specific VOCs like organohalogens and hydrocarbons served as characteristic markers for certain species (e.g., C. webbiana, A. taxiformis, R. okamurae).

Conclusions:

• Marine macroalgae exhibit diverse volatilomes, underscoring species-specific variations.
• The employed HS-SPME/GC-MS and chemometric strategy effectively differentiates macroalgae species.
• Identified VOCs possess potential for valorization into sustainable bioproducts via biorefinery applications.