Abstract: This study presents results for the isolation, fractionation and characterization of Arctic brown algae polyphenols. New analytical data on the structure, functional nature and polymolecular properties of brown algal phlorotannins were obtained using modern analytical methods (size exclusion chromatography, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and fluorescence spectroscopy). The interrelation of radical scavenging activity and molecular weight of the algal polyphenolic components has also been established. Relatively high radical scavenging activity (776 ± 36 mg of ascorbic acid per g of extract) is observed for phlorotannin subfractions with average molecular weights from 8 to 18 kDa, enriched with phlorotannin oligomers with three to eight phloroglucinol units. Radical scavenging activity decreases with increasing molecular mass.
Keywords: Brown algae ; Polyphenols ; Phlorotannins ; Fractionation ; Mass spectrometry ; Radical scavenging activity