Industry-Friendly Hydroethanolic Extraction Protocols for Grateloupia turuturu UV-Shielding and Antioxidant Compounds

Abstract

Grateloupia turuturu is an invasive macroalga on the Iberian coast, known to produce bioactive compounds with different cosmeceutical bioactivities, namely UV shielding and antioxidants. The goal of this study was to optimize the extraction procedure of main bioactivities of this species with cosmetic potential, using Response Surface Methodology. Two Box–Behnken designs were used to evaluate the effect of ethanol concentration (0–50%), liquid-solid ratio, time, pH, and temperature on yield, UV absorbance, and antioxidant activity. Both optimizations showed a similar trend: aqueous extracts have higher yields and extracts performed with ethanol as part of the solvent have higher activities concerning UV absorbance and antioxidant activity. For all the extracts an absorption peak between 320 and 340 nm was observed. This data now allows further studies by narrowing the extracts worthful of characterization. The development of industry-friendly extraction methods allows the valorization of this invasive species, contributing for the potential creation of natural and eco-friendly products by the cosmetic industry while contributing to the restoration of affected environments.