Document Type : Original research
Authors
1
Laboratory of Analysis, Modeling, Engineering, Natural Substances and Environment, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn-Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
2
CIIMAR–Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
3
Laboratory of Analysis, Modeling, Engineering, Natural Substances and Environment, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Taroudant, Ibn-Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco; Laâyoune Higher School of Technology, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
Abstract
Although the sponge is known to harbor secondary metabolites with biomedical potential, the chemical composition or primary metabolites of most sponge species remain understudied. Studies of their intraspecific variation are scarce. Suberites domuncula is one of the most studied sponges across the East Atlantic and Mediterranean soft bottoms, particularly in the trawlable bottoms of its continental shelves. Nevertheless, very little information if any is currently available regarding the biochemical composition of S. domuncula. This study aims to determine the antioxidant activity and assess the influence of geographical variability on the content of primary metabolites and the mineral composition of this species. The results show that the specimens from the regions of Oued Laou and Al Hoceima (Northern Morocco) contain significant amounts of polyphenols (TPC) and flavonoids (TFC) with interesting antioxidant activity revealed by DPPH test and the IC50 method. Additionally, the preliminary screening of the samples show a significant presence of sterol compounds and coumarins, free quinones and tannins in S. domuncula in the two areas. Furthermore, while geographical distance has no apparent effect the sponge’s primary metabolites, ICP-OES findings show that the origin of the specimens has a significant effect on mineral elements. In summary, we find that S. domuncula shows a significant mineral concentration, especially Ca, Na, K, S, Mg, P and Fe. Overall, this first characterization shows that S. domuncula could have potential medicinal values and could also be a useful tool to monitor water quality in the Mediterranean coast of Morocco.
Keywords
)