Enhancement of Antioxidant Activity, Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content of Saccharina japonica by Submerged Fermentation with Aspergillus oryzae

The current investigation was carried out to explore the possibility of submerged fermentation of Saccharina japonica as sole substrate using Aspergillus oryzae. In this study we used 2% S. japonica powder as fermentation media for A. oryzae. Fermentation period was optimized by monitoring the fermented sample at regular intervals for a period of 7 days. Results found that a fermentation period of 5 days was effective with maximum desirable characteristics such as total sugar, total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Under optimum fermentation period, fermented extracts showed enhanced antioxidant activity as determined by different assays such DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS scavenging and phosphomolydenum assay. This study provides the information for the enhancement of bioactive molecules in an eco-friendly manner and also paves way towards the development of wide range of seaweed-based functional foods.