Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Cephalopods are commonly used as seafood and are commercially exploited. Recently, the ink has garnered attention for its diverse bioactive properties. It contains melanin, quinones, and various amino acids that exhibit antioxidant and other therapeutic activities. This study focuses on exploring the bioactive potential of the discarded ink glands of Amphioctopus aegina, a lesser-explored octopus species of Indian waters. The study revealed the ink gland to be rich in alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids. Also, both aqueous and ethanol extracts showed remarkable radical scavenging activity, with IC50 values - 65.76 µg/mL and 51.7 µg/mL respectively. The extracts also showed moderate inhibition of protein denaturation and were non-toxic to RAW264.7 cell lines. These findings highlight A. aegina ink as a promising source of therapeutic biomolecules and also a sustainable approach to utilize cephalopod waste.
Authors: Gandasi Ravikumar Sahana, Biljo V Joseph
Institution: Christ University
Language: English
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
Funder: University Grants Commission
OpenAlex ID: W7127051735