Phytochemical constituents and bio-potentiality of Spirogyra porticalis (O.F. Müller) Dumortier from the perennial pond of Karnataka, India

Algae are recognized as a sustainable source of numerous bioactive compounds with significant roles in human health and nutrition. Many algal species with crucial bio-potential roles remain underexplored due to limited distribution, low abundance, and seasonal availability. Spirogyra is a filamentous algal group and commonly grows in freshwater habitats extending from tropical to arctic biogeographical zones. This genus encompasses bioactive compounds that exhibit notable activities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticholinesterase, anti-HSV-1, and anti-HIV properties. Many species under this genus have been inadequately studied, and their phytochemical and biological properties remain largely unknown. This research investigates the biopotential of Spirogyra porticalis, a filamentous green algae species, collected from the freshwater environments of a perennial pond in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka. This species contains high values of (9.12±0.94); ash (17.84±0.62); fat (0.47±0.02); fiber (14.41±1.56); protein (13.9±0.12), and carbohydrate (68.71±0.00). The preliminary phytochemical assays confirm the existence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, quinones, coumarins, phlobatannins, and anthroquinones. Also, the GC-MS profiling of this species revealed the presence of 19 compounds, of which 14 compounds are recognized for their biological activities, such as antimicrobial, anticancerous, antioxidant, hypocholesterolemic, anti-androgenic, hemolytic, anti-allergic, anti-trypanosomal, antischistosomal, etc. The effective antibacterial potentiality was expressed against the pathogen Pseudomonas syringae with the zone of inhibition of 19±0.57 mm. The obtained IC50 value of S. porticalis expresses the noteworthy activities of an antioxidant (IC50=39.39±1.59 µg/ml) and anticancerous (IC50=54.07±1.73 µg/ml).