Comparative study of sulfated polysaccharides from Caulerpa spp. (Chlorophyceae). Biotechnological tool for species identification?

José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues,Ismael Nilo Lino De Queiroz,Chistiane Oliveira Coura,Norma Maria Barros Benevides,Ana Luíza Gomes Quinderé

doi:10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i4.8976

José Ariévilo Gurgel Rodrigues, Ismael Nilo Lino De Queiroz + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.4025/actascibiolsci.v34i4.8976

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Abstract

Studies on macromolecules isolated from marine algae suggested sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) as possible molecular markers for species. We evaluated isolated and fractionated SPs from the green marine algae Caulerpa cupressoides, C. prolifera and C. racemosa collected at Pacheco Beach, as possible taxonomic molecular indicators. Total SPs were extracted with papain in 100 mM sodium acetate buffer (pH 5.0) containing cysteine and EDTA (both 5 mM), followed by ion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose using a NaCl gradient. The obtained fractions were analyzed by 0.5% agarose gel electrophoresis. Anticoagulant assays employing normal human plasma and standard heparin (193 IU mg -1 ) by the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test were also performed as comparison parameters. Low yields, and similar chromatographic profiles were found among species' SPs, but electrophoresis revealed distinct SPs resolution patterns. The changes in APTT of SP fractions were dependent on charge density as showed by electrophoresis profiles. Activities were 17.37 (C. cupressoides), 22.17 (C. racemosa) and 25.64 (C. prolifera) IU mg -1 , respectively, similar to a previous study using the first and second species. The results suggest that comparative studies of SPs isolated from seaweeds may be an important tool for the identification of Caulerpaceae.

Highlights

Seaweeds are used for millennia as food source and in medicine by several eastern peoples
Their varieties are distinguished by the morphology of their branches and/or by the presence of tristica branching in the pointed branches (BRAYNER et al, 2008), macroscopically differing them from the species C. racemosa (Figure 1B), which presents the structure of their branches club-shaped or cylindrical-shaped, and ending in an almost spherical portion (JOLY, 1965), and C. prolifera (Figure 1C), the latter being characterized by branches that form thin laminar expansions, lanceolate-shaped, smooth margins, apex rounded to slightly emarginated throughout its rhizomatous portion
The employment of the methodology using the enzymatic digestion of proteins by proteolytic enzymes resulted in distinct yields of total SPs (TSPs) among species

Summary

Introduction

Seaweeds are used for millennia as food source and in medicine by several eastern peoples They provide byproducts for several applications in Biotechnology (ARAÚJO et al, 2008; AMORIM et al, 2012; CAMPO et al, 2009; CARVALHO et al, 2009; GHOSH et al, 2004; RODRIGUES et al., 2010a; SOUZA et al, 2008; VANDERLEI et al, 2010; ZHANG et al, 2003). The isolation and structural elucidation of different chemical compounds present in marine organisms lead to new knowledge about their biosynthetic mechanisms, such as those related with reproduction (pheromones), anti-herbivory agents and against other organisms, leading to the interest about the ecological and evolutionary role of these metabolites, as well as its usefulness as important in studies of taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography, serving as a valuable tool in understanding the limits of differentiation between taxa (AMORIM et al, 2012; MAO et al, 2011; TEIXEIRA, 2002)

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