Abstract
Seaweeds are a potential source for the extraction of bioactive compounds, which are beneficial to human health. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to comprehensively characterize Padina australis GEEL-18 biomass collected from Luhuitou small east China sea. The identification, biochemical composition, physicochemical, and spectroscopic analyses were performed. The presence of high volatile solid (>70 %) suggested a large number of secondary metabolites in P. australis GEEL-18 biomass. The major elements in the biomass were carbon (28.96%) with 53.50% of carbohydrates. The essential functional groups (such as amino, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and sulfate groups) were observed in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The high carbohydrate content showed that P. australis GEEL-18 is a potential candidate for the extraction of polysaccharides (such as fucoidan, alginate, and laminarin). This study established that brown seaweed P. australis GEEL-18 can be used as a substrate for extraction of bioactive compounds which can further be used as food additives, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and drug development.