Astaxanthin is responsible for antiglycoxidative properties of microalga Chlorella zofingiensis

The antiglycoxidative properties of microalga Chlorella zofingiensis were investigated for the first time in this study. Algal extracts containing different contents of astaxanthin were prepared. Through the comparison, it was shown that the extract rich in astaxanthin exhibited higher antioxidant abilities as well as stronger antiglycative capacities, including the inhibition of advanced glycation endproducts (AGES) formation, glucose autoxidation as well as glycation-induced protein oxidation. The extract was further fractionated using TLC. Among all fractions obtained, the fraction of astaxanthin in diester form was found to contain the strongest inhibitory effects on the glycation cascade. Its tentative structure was subsequently identified by LC-MS analysis. These results clearly ascertained the antiglycoxidative properties of astaxanthin derived from C zofingiensis and supported the possibility of using natural antioxidants as glycation inhibitors. The microalga C zofingiensis, therefore, might be the beneficial food and preventive agent choice for diabetic patients. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.