Résumé:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the cytotoxicity of different extracts of Caulerpa
racemosa harvested on the Mostaganem coast by using the BSLA (Brine shrimp lethality test)
test.
Artemia salina used in the BSLA test was obtained by hatching cysts collected on the Sebkha
of Bethoui (Oran). The extracts of Caulerpa racemosa collected at the Salamandre beach
(Mostaganem) were obtained by Soxhlet extraction with three different solvents: chloroform,
hexane and methanol. Three concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 ppm) were tested for each
extract. The LC50 has been determined.
After 24-48h incubation in seawater, stage I or II nauplii were used for the cytotoxicity test.
Maximum mortalities of brine shrimp occurred at 1000 ppm while the lowest mortalities were
at 10 ppm for all three extracts studied. In contrast to chloroform and hexane extracts whose
LC50 was well above 1000 ppm, that of methanol is less than 1000 ppm but remains slightly
below (954 ppm).
The chloroform and hexane extracts of Caulerpa racemosa are non-toxic while that of
methanol is very weak toxic.
