Temporal variation in the pigment content of four macroalgae species: Implications for biotechnological applications

Abstract

Pigments exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-obesity effects, with potential applications in the food industry and human health. However, pigment profiles on algae depend on many factors, such as geographical location, season, species, and quantification method. This study aimed to evaluate the temporal variation in pigment yield among four local macroalgae species (Ulva rigida, Bifurcaria bifurcata, Halopteris scoparia, and Halopithys incurva) to identify their potential for biotechnological applications. Moreover, the effect of freeze–thaw extraction pretreatment was assessed. These species were collected by hand from spring to autumn 2023 in the Southeastern Bay of Biscay. Pigment analysis was carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography for lipophilic pigments and spectrophotometry for hydrophilic pigments. Temporal variation was observed among algae pigments, without consistent trends between groups of pigments or species, except for β-carotene, which reached a maximum in late spring, suggesting its photoprotective characteristic. This study provides useful information for achieving an optimal pigment content in four algae species, offering interesting insights into methodologies for quantifying pigments, which could have direct implications and applications in the biotechnological and food industries.