A comparative analysis on impact of drying methods on antioxidants, antidiabetes and antiobesity activities in green algae Caulerpa lentillifera: In vitro study

Marine algae, particularly Caulerpa lentillifera (C. lentillifera), have gained attention as potent sources of bioactive compounds with diverse health benefits. Despite its promising bioactivity, the influence of drying methods on its health-promoting properties remains underexplored. This study investigates the impact of different drying methods on the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and antiobesity activities of C. lentillifera. Fresh samples (GACL-FS) and those dried using air-fryer (GACL-AFD) and microwave (GACL-MD) methods were evaluated for carrageenan content, protein composition, and bioactive potentials. GACL-MD preserved the highest levels of protein, while fresh samples retained the highest carrageenan content. Antioxidant assays revealed superior performance in GACL-MD samples, showing significant DPPH and ABTS inhibition compared to Trolox standards. Similarly, antidiabetic assays demonstrated comparable α-glucosidase inhibition across all drying methods, suggesting robust retention of antidiabetic properties. Antiobesity activity, evaluated through lipase inhibition assays, highlighted GACL-MD's efficacy at lower concentrations, akin to Orlistat, while fresh and air-fryer dried samples showed varied results. In conclusion, C. lentillifera exhibits substantial potential as a functional food ingredient, with the drying method significantly influencing its bioactive profile. Microwave drying emerged as optimal for preserving antioxidant and antiobesity activities, emphasizing the need for tailored drying strategies to enhance nutritional benefits. Future research should focus on optimizing processing techniques and elucidating underlying mechanisms to fully harness C. lentillifera's health-promoting properties in functional food development and public health interventions.