The antioxidant potential of dominant macroalgae species from the Sea of Japan

The range of variation in the key components of enzymatic and low-molecular-weight antioxidant systems (AOSs) is determined for 17 dominant species of macroalgae from the Sea of Japan waters that are exposed to minimal anthropogenic pressure, during the period of their active vegetative growth. The maximum activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, and the highest content of glutathione and carotenoids are observed in members of the phylum Chlorophyta. The studied algae display a wide phenotypic variability in terms of catalase activity and ascorbate abundance in their tissues. Differences between species in the constitutive capacity of AOS are found within the systematic phyla. It is shown for the first time that warm-water algae of temperate latitudes have a lower content of low-molecular-weight antioxidants and a higher activity of key antioxidant enzymes compared to those recorded for cold-temperate species.