Inhibitory activities of three Malaysian edible seaweeds on lipase and α-amylase

Ethanol extracts, dried powders and fibres (total and soluble fibre) of the tropical red algae Kappaphycus alvarezii, Kappaphycus striatus and Eucheuma denticulatum were analysed for their effect on lipase and alpha-amylase activity using turbidimetric method and dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) assay, respectively. The nutrient composition analyses were determined using standard methods. The ethanol extract of dried K. striatus (Ks-III) showed the highest reduction in lipase activity with 92 % inhibition followed by seaweed powders (K. alvarezii (Ka-III), K. striatus (Ks-III) and E. denticulatum (Ed-III)) with average inhibition of 60 %. Soluble fibres of K. alvarezii (Ka-V) and E. denticulatum (Ed-V) showed significant inhibition with 60 and 57 % reduction, respectively. Only the ethanol extract of fresh E. denticulatum (Ed-I) showed 88 % inhibition of alpha-amylase. Nutritional component analyses showed that all three seaweeds are low in crude fat, suggesting the possible use of seaweed as a dietary supplement and for potential weight and glycaemia management.