Abstract

Background/Objectives: Widely distributed in the Adriatic Sea, the invasive green alga Caulerpa cylindracea poses ecological risks but also constitutes a largely untapped source of bioactive compounds. This study aimed to characterize its metabolomic profile, phenolic composition, and antioxidant capacity to explore its potential for biotechnological use. Methods: Samples from the Northern Adriatic Sea were extracted with water, 70% ethanol, and 80% methanol. Phenolic compounds were analyzed by LC-QqQ, while untargeted metabolomic profiling was performed using LC-qTOF. Total phenolic, flavonoid, and non-flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically, and antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. Results: Metabolomic profiling demonstrated a clear solvent-dependent differentiation, with aqueous extracts enriched in polar metabolites, while organic extracts contained higher levels of lipid-derived and secondary metabolites. Antioxidant assays indicated that aqueous extracts exhibited the strongest radical-scavenging activity (DPPH and ABTS), whereas the highest reducing capacity (FRAP) was observed in ethanolic extracts. In addition, total flavonoid content was greatest in the ethanol extracts. Conclusions: These results highlight its potential for valorization as a sustainable resource in food, cosmetic, and biomedical applications, while also supporting approaches for managing its spread.

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