Fucoidan Content Research Articles

The seasonal variation of fucoidan within three species of brown macroalgae

Fucoidan is comprised of a fucose backbone with sulphate groups, whose variation is important to the functionality of the polysaccharide. The structure of fucoidan has been reported to vary according to species, season, location and maturity; however there is currently little published data to support this. Understanding the seasonal variation of fucoidan is important for industrial applications to identify optimum harvesting times and ensure consistent product composition. This study explores the seasonal variation of three species of brown macroalgae, Fucus serratus (FS), Fucus vesiculosus (FV) and Ascophyllum nodosum (AN), harvested monthly off the coast of Aberystwyth, UK. Average fucoidan content is 6.0, 9.8 and 8.0wt% respectively for FS, FV and AN, with highest quantities extracted in autumn and lowest in spring. Fucose content, varied between 18 and 28, 26–39 and 35–46wt% and sulphate content between 30 and 40, 9–35 and 6–22wt% for FS, FV and AN respectively, with both fluctuating inversely to the total fucoidan content. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) has provided insight into the structural differences between the species. Based on the molecular weight (MW) distribution, and in line with previous research, it is hypothesised that fucoidan in FS has a more complex structure, with a higher degree of associated sulphate ions than in FV and AN which have a simpler, linear structure with less associated sulphate ions.

Seasonal variations in the fucoidan content of brown algae from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan

The seasonal dynamics in the level of fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidans) have been studied in three brown alga species from Peter the Great Bay, Sea of Japan: Saccharina japonica, Sargassum pallidum, and Stephanocystis crassipes. In the latter two species, seasonal variations in the fucoidan content have been analyzed for the first time. During the year, the level of fucoidan in S. japonica varied from 0.98 to 4.19% dry weight; in S. crassipes, from 2.50 to 5.23%; in S. pallidum, from 1.86 to 6.31%. The maximum amount of this polysaccharide is accumulated in algae during reproduction: in August–October for S. japonica; in June and July for S. crassipes; and in July for S. pallidum. No significant correlation has been found between the level of fucoidan in algal tissues and the annual dynamics in sea water temperature, salinity, and concentration of biogenic elements. The obtained data can be helpful in determining the time to harvest algae for fucoidan extraction.

Anti-inflammatory effects of sodium alginate/gelatine porous scaffolds merged with fucoidan in murine microglial BV2 cells

Microglia are the immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Overexpression of inflammatory mediators by microglia can induce several neurological diseases. Thus, the underlying basic requirement for neural tissue engineering is to develop materials that exhibit little or no neuro-inflammatory effects. In this study, we have developed a method to create porous scaffolds by adding fucoidan (Fu) into porous sodium alginate (Sa)/gelatine (G) (SaGFu). For mechanical characterization, in vitro degradation, stress/strain, swelling, and pore size were measured. Furthermore, the biocompatibility was evaluated by assessing the adhesion and proliferation of BV2 microglial cells on the SaGFu porous scaffolds using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, respectively. Moreover, we studied the neuro-inflammatory effects of SaGFu on BV2 microglial cells. The effect of gelatine and fucoidan content on the various properties of the scaffold was investigated and the results showed that mechanical properties increased porosity and swelling ratio with an increase in the gelatine and fucoidan, while the in vitro biodegradability decreased. The average SaGFu diameter attained by fabrication of SaGFu ranged from 60 to 120μm with high porosity (74.44%-88.30%). Cell culture using gelatine 2.0% (SaG2Fu) and 4.0% (SaG4Fu), showed good cell proliferation; more than 60–80% that with Sa alone. Following stimulation with 0.5μg/mL LPS, microglia cultured in porous SaGFu decreased their expression of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and reactive oxygen species (ROS). SaG2Fu and SaG4Fu also inhibited the activation and translocation of p65 NF-κB protein levels, resulting in reduction of NO, ROS, and PGE2 production. These results provide insights into the diverse biological effects and opens new avenues for the applications of SaGFu in neuroscience.

EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF FUCOIDAN FROM SIX BROWN MACROALGAE

The content and composition of fucoidan in six brown macroalgae were investigated. The influence of different washing steps and two types of extraction methods on the yield and composition of fucoidan were assessed. The composition of the extract was determined by using a colorimetric method to measure the total sugar, sulfate, and protein contents of the fucoidan. The monosaccharide composition was assessed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the algal polysaccharide were studied using Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy. The fucoidan content extracted using method I was 13.13% (of dry weight), 24.00%, and 22.67% from Sargassum glaucescens, Sargassum horneri, and Laminaria japonica, respectively. By contrast, the fucoidan content extracted using method II was 4.20%, 4.80%, and 4.64% from S. glaucescens, S. horneri, and L. japonica, respectively. The samples extracted using method II were lower in total sugar content but higher in sulfated content than those extracted using method I. Using method II yielded the highest fucose content in S. glaucescens (20.89%) and Hizikia fusiformis (15.89%). The proportion of H. fusiformis was lower than that of S. glaucescens because the biomass of the H. fusiformis was much larger in the wild. Therefore, we consider H. fusiformis to be a rich source of fucoidan for human consumption.

Antithrombotic activity of oral administered low molecular weight fucoidan from Laminaria Japonica

IntroductionFucoidans extracted from brown algae have been documented to have excellent antithrombotic activity when administered by either intravenous or subcutaneous route in animal models. However, it is unknown if the fucoidans also have antithrombotic activity when administered orally, a highly desirable feature of oral antithrombotic agents. In the present study, we compared the oral absorption, bioavailability and antithrombotic activity of two fucoidan fractions from Laminaria japonica with different molecular weight by oral administration in an electricity induced arterial thrombosis model and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results and conclusionsAfter a single dose of oral administration, the fucoidan content in plasma and urine in rats was assessed using the reverse-phased HPLC analysis of 1-phenyl-3-methyl-5-pyrazolone (PMP)-labeled fucose. The fucose content in the low molecular weight (LMW) fucoidan-treated rats increased up to 2-fold and peaked at 15h, indicating that the LMW fucoidan had much better absorption and bioavailability than the MMW fucoidan in vivo. Oral administration of the LMW fucoidan at 400 and 800mg/kg for 30days inhibited the arterial thrombosis formation effectively induced by electrical shock in rats, accompanied by moderate anticoagulation activity, regulation on TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α, significant antiplatelet activity and effective fibrinolysis. The LMW fucoidan showed better oral absorption and antithrombotic activity in addition to different antithrombotic mechanisms compared to those of the medium molecular weight (MMW) fucoidan. Thus, the LMW fucoidan has a potential to become an oral antithrombotic agent.

Are multifunctional marine polysaccharides a myth or reality?

Are multifunctional marine polysaccharides a myth or reality?

Quantitative determination of fucoidan using polyion-sensitive membrane electrodes

The use of polyanion and polycation-sensitive membrane electrodes to detect five different preparations of fucoidan is described. Unlike linear polyanionic molecules previously measured with polymer membrane-based electrochemical sensors, fucoidans from marine brown algae are all highly branched, sulfated polysaccharides with varying charge densities and structures, depending on the species of seaweed, method of extraction used and extent of purification. When tridodecylmethylammonium (TDMA) was used as the ion-exchanger, a large, non-equilibrium EMF response was observed over a concentration range of 0.5–50μgmL−1 fucoidan. Fucoidan was also measured by titration with polycationic protamine, using a dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate (DNNS)-doped membrane electrode as the potentiometric endpoint detector. Potentiometric titration was used to determine the binding ratio between protamine and fucoidan at the neutralization endpoint for each fucoidan preparation. This binding ratio was then used to successfully determine the fucoidan content of commercially available nutritional supplements. Fucoidan was also measured in undiluted blood serum, demonstrating that this method may be applicable for measuring fucoidan for clinical applications.

Влияние ультразвуковой обработки на химический состав и антикоагулянтные свойства сухого экстракта фукуса

Изучено влияние ультразвуковой обработки на химический состав и антикоагулянтные свойства сухого экстракта фукуса пузырчатого (СЭФ), полученного при комплексной переработке слоевищ фукуса пузырчатого (Fucus vesiculosus L.). Установлено, что ультразвуковая обработка на стадии экстрагирования шрота фукуса оказывает влияние на качественный состав сахаров и количественное содержание фукоидана, сульфатных групп и полифенолов. СЭФ, полученный с использованием ультразвуковой обработки, проявил более высокую антикоагулянтную активность при местном применении на крысах линии Wistar, сходную с действием препарата сравнения гепариновой мазью.

Anti-Proliferation Potential and Content of Fucoidan Extracted from Sporophyll of New Zealand Undaria pinnatifida.

Undaria pinnatifida is a species of brown seaweed known to contain rich amounts of fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide known to possess various biological activities. We isolated crude fucoidan (F0) from the sporophylls of U. pinnatifida grown in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Sulfate content, uronic acid content, and molecular weight of F0 were 15.02, 1.24, and >150 kDa, respectively. F0 was fractionated to yield three further fractions: F1, F2, and F3. Cytotoxicity of two major fractions was determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The algal fucoidans specifically suppressed the proliferation of three cancer cell lines with less cytotoxicity against the normal cells. Selective cytotoxicity could relate to the distinctive structures of each fucoidan fraction. Results from this study provide evidence that fucoidan, especially from U. pinnatifida grown in New Zealand, possesses great potential to be used as a functional food to reduce cancer risk or supplement cancer treatment.

Isolation and antioxidant capacity of fucoidan from selected Malaysian seaweeds

The objective of this research was to screen and isolate fucoidan from Malaysian seaweeds and subsequently determine its antioxidant capacity. A screening test employing a colorimetric method was conducted on five types of Malaysian brown and red seaweeds. It was found that Sargassum binderi contained the highest fucoidan content (6.16 ± 0.08%). Thus, fucoidan was isolated from S. binderi (yield 7.5%, purity 89.63%) for the determination of its antioxidant capacity. The isolated fucoidan was identified using high performance anion exchange chromatography (HPAEC) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infra-red (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The antioxidant assays performed were total phenolic content (TPC), free-radical scavenging activity (DPPH), reducing power, superoxide anion scavenging activity (SOA) and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (OH). The antioxidant capacity of the extracted fucoidan (Fsar) was compared with those of a commercial food-grade fucoidan (Fysk) and of BHA, BHT and ascorbic acid. All the antioxidant assays performed showed either Fsar has significantly higher (p < 0.05) or do not differ significantly (p > 0.05) in activities compared to that of Fysk. At the same time, both Fsar and Fysk showed significant (p < 0.05) antioxidant capacity in terms of superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities compared to those of the synthetic antioxidants. This shows that Fsar has the potential to be commercialised as a functional food product or as bioingredients with high antioxidative properties.

Fucoidan from New Zealand Undaria pinnatifida: Monthly variations and determination of antioxidant activities

The content and composition of fucoidans extracted from Undaria pinnatifida from mussel farms at the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand were investigated using CaCl2 extraction. Crude fucoidan (F0) was subsequently extracted on a monthly basis from U. pinnatifida harvested from July to October 2011 from mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds, New Zealand. Fucoidan yield varied between the frond and sporophyll parts of the algae, with the sporophyll consistently the highest content. The yield from the sporophyll increased significantly from July (25.4–26.3%) to September (57.3–69.9%). Sulphate content in the extracted fucoidan increased more than twice within the same period, while fucose content remained constant. F0 was further purified by ion-exchange chromatography to yield three fractions, F1, F2 and F3. All three fucoidan fractions contained fucose as the primary sugar component followed by galactose, with xylose, glucose and mannose as minor constituents. All fractions exhibited strong antioxidant activities using the DPPH scavenging and CUPRAC assays. This study showed that sporophyll maturation of U. pinnatifida in New Zealand influenced fucoidan content and composition. Sporophyll fucoidan could potentially be a good resource for natural antioxidants.

Extraction and separation of fucoidan from Laminaria japonica with chitosan as extractant.

Herein the extraction method of fucoidan from Laminaria japonica is reported. Firstly, chitosan, chitosan-N-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (HACC), and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CPAB) were used to extract the fucoidan. The results showed that chitosan was the optimal extractant compared with the other two extractants. After extraction, different aqueous solutions, including NaCl, KCl, and HCl (pH2), were used to separate fucoidan from chitosan-fucoidan complex. The results showed that the separation ability of NaCl was slightly higher than that of KCl. Moreover, the price of NaCl is lower than that of KCl. Given the quality-price rate, NaCl solution was chosen as the separation solution. Thirdly, the concentration and ratio of NaCl solution : sediment influence the separation of fucoidan from chitosan-fucoidan complex. The results showed that the optimal separation conditions include 4 mol/L NaCl solution with the ratio of NaCl solution to sediment at 30 : 1. Fucoidan content was found to be affected by different separation time. Fucoidan content increased with the increase of separation time, and the optimal separation time was 6 h. Compared with traditional alkali extraction method, this method not only reduces the usage of alkali and acid and alleviate environment pollution, but also has the comparable extraction yield of fucoidan. It is a potential method for extraction of fucoidan.

ESIMS analysis of fucoidan preparations from Costaria costata, extracted from alga at different life-stages

Four fucoidan fractions from brown alga Costaria costata, collected at different life-stages: vegetative, May (5F2 and 5F3) and generative, July (7F1 and 7F2) collections were characterized. It was found that seaweed synthesizes different set of fucoidans – one with high fucose content and substantial percentage of hexoses and uronic acid and lower sulfate content (7F1, 5F2 and 5F3) and other – highly sulfated galactofucan (7F2). Structural features of fractions 7F2 and 5F3 were predominantly determined by mass spectrometric analysis of low-molecular-weight (LMW) oligosaccharide fragments, obtained by autohydrolysis of 7F2 and mild acid hydrolysis of 5F3 fucoidans. It was found that oligosaccharides from 7F2 fractions were mainly built up of sulfated at C-2 and/or at C-2/C-4 (1→3)-linked α-l-fucopyranose residues. d-Galactose residues, sulfated either at C-2 or C-6, were found as parts of mixed di- and trisaccharides at both termini and, probably, internal. Fucose residues in 5F3 fucoidan fragments were sulfated at C-2 and sometimes at C-4. Galactose residues were sulfated at C-4 and less frequently at C-2. Resistant to hydrolysis fraction was probably a core, built up with fucose, mannose and glucuronic acid. Presumably, oligosaccharide fragments were branches at C-4 of GlcA. They were sulfated at C-2 and sometimes at C-4 (1→3)- and/or (1→4)-linked fucooligosaccharides (sometimes terminated with (1→3)-linked galactose) and sulfated at C-4 or C-2 (1→4)- or, probably, (1→6)-linked galactooligosaccharides, probably, with own branches, formed by (1→2)-linked galactose residues. Unsulfated xylose residues were probably terminal in chains built up of fucose. It was confirmed, that monosaccharide content and structure of fucoidans of vegetative algae changed following its life stage. Generative alga in general produced highly sulfated galactofucan having lower MW along with less sulfated mannoglucuronofucan with higher MW, which was extensively synthesized by vegetative algae.

Seasonal variations of the composition, structural features, and antitumor properties of polysaccharides from Padina pavonica (Lebanon) as a function of composition

The variation of the polysaccharide composition of the brown alga Padina pavonica from the Mediterranean Sea was studied as a function of the collection season (April–July). It was shown that the principal polysaccharide (8.0-13.3% of dry alga weight) was alginic acid. Its content did not undergo significant changes from April to July. The content of water-soluble polysaccharides (laminarans and fucoidans) was low (<0.3% of dry alga weight). Water-soluble polysaccharides of the studied alga were practically pure fucoidan. The amount of laminarans was insignificant (<0.01% of dry alga weight). The content of fucoidans increased in alga samples from May through July. It was shown that P. pavonica is a promising source of alginic acids, which have a high capacity for gelation, and fucoidans, which exhibit antitumor action against RPMI-7951 human melanoma cells.

Brown seaweed species from Strangford Lough: compositional analyses of seaweed species and biostimulant formulations by rapid instrumental methods

The aims of this study were to characterise the composition of five seaweed species (Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Laminaria hyperborea and Sargassum muticum), their extracts and commercial formulations, using thermogravimetry (TGA), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and pyrolysis gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). Analyses of the samples by TGA and EDX provided information on the proportions of algal cell wall, inorganic fractions and minerals. The main carbohydrate constituents of the five species and extracts were identified by their pyrolysis products, e.g. 1-(2-furanyl) ethanone, 5-methyl-2-furcarboxaldehyde, 2-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, diannhydromannitol, 1,6-anhydromannopyranose and 1,6-anhydromannofuranose, using Py-GC/MS. The differences in relative intensities of the infrared bands of the five species were enhanced, especially after acid extraction compared with alkaline or neutral treatments, resulting in improved understanding of the compositional changes. In addition four commercial formulations and two acidic extracts of A. nodosum were evaluated for composition using the techniques. The dry matter, pH, electrical conductivity, ash, carbon and nitrogen content of the six preparations showed significant differences in composition. Variations in fatty acid, alginic acid, mannitol, laminarin and fucoidan content of the six formulations were reported. The results have shown that TGA, EDX, Py-GC/MS and FTIR are complementary techniques for rapid evaluation of seaweed materials and products.

Comparative Study of Polysaccharides from Reproductive and Sterile Tissues of Five Brown Seaweeds

Sterile and reproductive tissues of five brown algae (Sargassum pallidum, Silvetia babingtonii, Fucus evanescens, Saccharina japonica, and Alaria ochotensis) from Russian Far East seas were compared for the content and monosaccharide composition of fucoidans as well as the content of laminarans and alginic acids. It was proved that reproduction has an apparent effect on fucoidan content and its monosaccharide composition. Fucoidan content in fertile tissues was shown to be 1.3-1.5 times as high as in sterile ones. Based on the present and previously reported data, we believe that fucoidan accumulation during the development of reproductive structure is a general trend for brown seaweeds. Reproduction also caused changes in the monosaccharide composition. As a result, fertile plants synthesized fucoidan with less heterogeneous monosaccharide composition in comparison with sterile ones. Structural changes of this polysaccharide are species-specific and perhaps depend on the type of the synthesized polysaccharide. The fertile plants of S. babingtonii yielded the highest fucoidan content [25% dry weight (dw)] among the tested species, whereas the maximum alginic acid content was found for the sterile tissues of S. japonica-up to 43% dw. There was no general trend in alginic acid content variation during sporulation. The alginic acid content was much higher in the sterile tissues of S. japonica in comparison with the fertile ones. On the contrary, the fertile tissues of A. ochotensis contained more alginic acid than the sterile ones.

푸코이단을 함유한 Clay/아크릴아미드 하이드로젤

하이드로젤은 다양한 분야에 적용가능한 그 잠재성으로 인해 널리 연구되어 왔다. 특히 설파이드와 같은 기능성기의 도입은 그들의 응용성을 넓혀왔다. 본 연구에서 점토/아크릴아미드 하이드로젤에 푸코이단을 도입하는 연구를 수행하였다. 얻어진 semi-IPN 나노복합 하이드로젤에서 선형사슬형 다당류인 푸코이단은 점토와 강한 이온 상호작용을 가졌다. 단순한 혼합실험에서도 푸코이단은 점토와 화학결합 없이 물리적 가교를 이룰 수 있었다. Semi-IPN 하이드로젤에서 평형팽윤비율은 푸코이단의 함량이 증가함에 따라 증가하였다. 탄성계수는 푸코이단의 함량이 증가함에 따라 초기엔 증가하였고, 더 증가하면 감소하였다. 이러한 하이드로젤의 파괴의 일 값은 강인한 성질을 보여주었다. 본 하이드로젤은 조절 가능한 하이드로젤로서의 성질들과 함께 점막접착성 등의 기능성 특징을 나타낼 수 있다.

Monthly changes in the content and monosaccharide composition of fucoidan from Undaria pinnatifida (Laminariales, Phaeophyta)

Crude fucoidan was extracted from the brown alga Undaria pinnatifida collected monthly from April to last July in Peter the Great Bay (Japan Sea, Russia). The amount of crude fucoidan rose markedly from April to June–July (from 3.2 to 16.0% dry weight) as the plant matures. An analysis of the monosaccharide composition of the fucoidan extracted showed that the alga synthesized polysaccharides with various structures which were dependent on the algae age. In juvenile plants collected in April–May, this was represented by sulfated manno-galactofucan containing up to 19–28 mol% of mannose and about 20 mol% of galactose, whereas in matured plants collected in June–July, the polysaccharide was represented by a sulfated galactofucan containing more than 38 mol% galactose. It is postulated that the production of sori causes a subsequent effect on fucoidan synthesis and leads to an enhanced of crude fucoidan content and an increased molar concentration of galactose. Crude fucoidan content in sporophylls increased 5 times, and galactose content in this polysaccharide rose s1.6 times with sori formation. The structural characteristics of the fucoidan extracted from sporophylls of Undaria collected in July were also studied. The fractionation of crude fucoidan on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 gave two fractions, F1 and F2 in equal quantities. F1 was characterized as manno-galactofucan sulfate and F2 was galactofucan sulfate. The molecular weights of both fractions were in a range of 30–80 kDa. Analysis of fucoidan structure using ESI-FTICR mass spectrometry showed the presence of mixed oligosaccharides consisting of fucose and galactose. Presumably, the polysaccharide molecules contain blocks built up of successively linked residues of fucose and galactose. These blocks are built from two to five or more residues of monosaccharides. According to IR-spectroscopy data, the main portion of sulfates is located at C2; in addition, sulfate esters are also present at C4 on the fucose and C3 and C6 of the galactose units.

Quantification and localization of fucoidan in Laminaria japonica using a novel antibody.

The establishment of a simple technique to determine the concentration of fucoidan was developed by using a monoclonal antibody against fucoidan. This antibody reacted with fucoidans purified from Laminaria japonica Areschoug (Makombu in Japanese) and Kjellmaniella gyrate Miyabe (Gagome), but not with polysaccharides from Undaria pinnatifida Suringar (Wakame). Neither laminarin nor algenic acid, which are constituents in Laminaria japonica, were recognized by the prepared antibody. Application of the enzymed-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) inhibition assay increased the specificity of fucoidan in measuring the fucoidan contents. On the basis of these results, it was ascertained that the ELISA inhibition assay of using the anti-fucoidan monoclonal antibody was rapid, accurate, and sensitive in measuring the content of fucoidan. In addition, the localization of fucoidan in Laminaria japonica was investigated. This is the first report of fucoidan being restricted to the outer cortical layer.

Polysaccharides of Algae 58. The polysaccharide composition of the Pacific brown alga Alaria fistulosa P. et R. (Alariaceae, Laminariales)

Quantitative determination of mannitol, fucoidan and alginate in different parts of the thallus (the blade, the midrip, the sporophylls, and the stipe with rhizoids) of the brown alga Alaria fistulosa, collected from the coastal waters of Paramushir Island, was carried out. Sporophylls were shown to differ considerably in carbohydrate composition from all other parts of the plant. In particular, the fucoidan content in sporophylls is several times as high as that in the blade. Alginate preparations isolated from sporophylls and from blade have different proportions of monomers (mannuronic acid and guluronic acid residues) and different molecular masses. Fucoidan preparations isolated from these parts of the plant differ slightly in the sulfate content. Their specific feature is a rather high galactose content comparable with the content of fucose. The sporophylls of A. fistulosa may be regarded as a rich source for practical isolation of fucoidan.