Biochemical Analysis, GC-MS Profiling and Phytochemical Screening of Brown algae (Sargassum tenerrimum) Isolated From Kunkeshwar District of India

Recently, seaweeds—a group of marine macroalgae—have been increasingly explored for their potential benefits to human society. Seaweeds are marine macroalgae found in coastal habitats and are known for their diverse biochemical and pharmacological properties. Among them, brown algae (Phaeophyceae) represent the most diverse group, with Sargassum tenerrimum being a prominent species along the western coast of Maharashtra.In this study, the bioprospective potential of Sargassum tenerrimum was evaluated using various solvent extracts, including ethanolic, aqueous, and acetone extracts. Qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins, terpenoids, coumarins, quinones, anthraquinones, phenols, anthocyanins, and lipids. Mineral analysis indicated the presence of essential elements, including iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P). Chromatographic techniques such as paper chromatography (PC) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were employed to characterize the extracts. The retention factor (Rf) values obtained through PC were 0.90 for ethanolic and 0.86 for aqueous extracts, while TLC analysis yielded Rf values of 0.63 for ethanolic and 0.56 for aqueous extracts. Biochemical profiling indicated the presence of proteins (4.69%), carbohydrates (42.53%), free fatty acids (6.40%), and chlorophyll-a (0.92 mg/mL), supporting the nutritional and therapeutic potential of Sargassum tenerrimum. Furthermore, a total of 44 compounds were identified, representing various functional groups, including alkanes, alkynes, hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and proteins. These findings highlight Sargassum tenerrimum as a rich source of bioactive and nutritional compounds, underscoring its relevance in future nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications.