Yields, zoochemical profiles, and antioxidant activities of extracts from freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) using different solvents

2019 International Journal of Biosciences  
Freshwater clam is among the many aquatic organisms that possessed many medical and biological effects. Several factors may affect the growth of phytoplankton, and so will likewise affect the secondary metabolites present. The study aimed to determine the crude extract yields, zoochemical profiles, and the antioxidant activities of the freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) using ethanol, ethyl acetate and hexane as extracting solvents. Established test procedures were used to test the presence
more » ... prominent groups of zoochemicals. The antioxidant activity was assayed using free radical scavenging activities on 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydraziyl (DPPH˙) radical. The results showed that the crude extract yield using ethanol (120.49±0.35 mg/g) is significantly higher than ethyl acetate (98.09±0.43) and hexane (82.81±0.06). The following secondary metabolites were found, namely: terpenoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, steroids, and alkaloids. The presence of phenolic substances and maybe other substances account for the antioxidant activities. Results of the study revealed that the scavenging effects of the crude extracts were in a concentration-dependent manner. Ethyl acetate extract showed the highest scavenging activity expressed as percentage inhibition, 30.25% at the highest tested concentration (1000 ppm) and 24.47% for the lowest tested concentration (100 ppm) while hexane extract showed the lowest scavenging activity with 25.52% (1000 ppm), and 19.08% (100 ppm). The three crude extracts of the freshwater clam demonstrate considerable antioxidant effects making the clam a promising nutritional food. As a health-promoting food, it will not just provide proteins, lipids, and others, but also remedies for oxidative stress.
doi:10.12692/ijb/14.1.174-182 fatcat:cs2wwunkxngxjh54dzxzeoprxq