ABSTRACT
This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulina maxima grown in Zarrouk's medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and or phenylalanine (L-PA); attaining highest production obtained in medium containing 3.77 g.L-1 NaNO3 and 100 mgL-1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate; chlorogenate; cinnamate; pinostrobate and p-OH-benzoates. The protective action of Spirulina phenolic compounds (SPC) against CCl4-induced in vitro hepato-toxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation was studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC50 values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 ?gmL-1 and inhibit CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation in hepato-microsoms model; in dose-depended manner. Their protective potential was comparable to that of standard phenolic antioxidants such as BHT; BHA and a -tocopherol (IC50 values ranged from 13.22 to 23.62? ?gmL-1)