Abstract
In the current review, compositional data on fucoidans extracted from more than hundred different species were surveyed through the available literature. The analysis of crude extracts, purified extracts or carefully isolated fractions is included in tabular form, discriminating the seaweed source by its taxonomical order (and sometimes the family). This survey was able to encounter some similarities between the different species, as well as some differences. Fractions which were obtained through anion-exchange chromatography or cationic detergent precipitation showed the best separation patterns: the fractions with low charge correspond mostly to highly heterogeneous fucoidans, containing (besides fucose) other monosaccharides like xylose, galactose, mannose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid, and contain low-sulfate/high uronic acid proportions, whereas those with higher total charge usually contain mainly fucose, accompanied with variable proportions of galactose, are highly sulfated and show almost no uronic acids. The latter fractions are usually the most biologically active. Fractions containing intermediate proportions of both polysaccharides appear at middle ionic strengths. This pattern is common for all the orders of brown seaweeds, and most differences appear from the seaweed source (habitat, season), and from the diverse extraction, purification, and analytitcal methods. The Dictyotales appear to be the most atypical order, as usually large proportions of mannose and uronic acids appear, and thus they obscure the differences between the fractions with different charge. Within the family Alariaceae (order Laminariales), the presence of sulfated galactofucans with high galactose content (almost equal to that of fucose) is especially noteworthy.
Highlights
AIM OF THE REVIEWFucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides present in the cell walls of the Phaeophyceae composed usually by fucose (Fuc) as the main monosaccharide, but accompanied by very variable amounts of other monosaccharides like galactose (Gal), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), rhamnose (Rha), and/or glucuronic acid (GlcA)
The current review has surveyed most of the compositional data on fucoidans extracted from different species, in many cases after purification; more than 100 species were screened through the literature
Besides the obvious purpose of providing a reliable source of compositional data gathered in a set of tables, this review attempted to foresee if there is any correlation of these compositional data with their taxonomy, or if other factors are more important than the taxonomic origin
Summary
Fucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides present in the cell walls of the Phaeophyceae (brown seaweeds) composed usually by fucose (Fuc) as the main monosaccharide, but accompanied by very variable amounts of other monosaccharides like galactose (Gal), xylose (Xyl), mannose (Man), rhamnose (Rha), and/or glucuronic acid (GlcA). The main chemical characteristics of fucoidans extracted from different species of brown seaweeds reported so far to the best of our knowledge (with compositional data provided) will be described in tabular form They will be shown separately for each of the different orders (Figure 1). In an interesting study using microwave extraction of this seaweed, Rodríguez-Jasso et al (2011) showed that depending on the pressure and extraction time, fucoidans with different ratios Fuc/Gal were obtained (ranging from 100% Fuc to a 1:1 ratio), plus variable proportions of Xyl and sulfation degrees Another species from the same genus that has been studied is Fucus evanescens. It is interesting to note that in a subsequent work Zvyagintseva et al (2003) analyzed specimens of three different seaweeds (F. evanescens, Laminaria cichorioides, and Saccharina japonica) collected at different places, at various stages of development and at different seasons, and found some
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