Seaweed Polysaccharides Research Articles

Seaweed polysaccharides as macromolecular crowding agents

Development of mesenchymal stem cell-based tissue engineered implantable devices requires prolonged in vitro culture for the development of a three-dimensional implantable device, which leads to phenotypic drift, thus hindering the clinical translation and commercialisation of such approaches. Macromolecular crowding, a biophysical phenomenon based on the principles of excluded-volume effect, dramatically accelerates and increases extracellular matrix deposition during in vitro culture. However, the optimal macromolecular crowder is still elusive. Herein, we evaluated the biophysical properties of various concentrations of different seaweed in origin sulphated polysaccharides and their effect on human adipose derived stem cell cultures. Carrageenan, possibly due to its high sulphation degree, exhibited the highest negative charge values. No correlation was observed between the different concentrations of the crowders and charge, polydispersity index, hydrodynamic radius and fraction volume occupancy across all crowders. None of the crowders, but arabinogalactan, negatively affected cell viability. Carrageenan, fucoidan, galactofucan and ulvan increased extracellular matrix (especially collagen type I and collagen type V) deposition. Carrageenan induced the highest osteogenic effect and galactofucan and fucoidan demonstrated the highest chondrogenic effect. All crowders were relatively ineffective with respect to adipogenesis. Our data highlight the potential of sulphated seaweed polysaccharides for tissue engineering purposes.

Supplementation of cryodiluent media with seaweed or Nile tilapia skin sulfated polysaccharides for freezing of Colossoma macropomum (Characiformes: Serrasalmidae) semen

Tambaqui, Colossoma macropomum, is an ideal fish for cultivation in captivity and it is valued in the consumer market. Studies on various aspects of aquaculture, including semen freezing, have been conducted. Despite its many benefits, cryopreservation damages the samples. Thus, to refine the existing protocols, products with antioxidant properties can be added, such as sulfated polysaccharides. This study evaluated the effect of adding sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed (green: Caulerpa cupressoides; red: Acanthophora muscoides and Solieria filiformis) and Nile tilapia skin into the tambaqui semen freezing medium. The resulting polysaccharidic samples were diluted and added to the cryopreservation medium. The semen was then collected, pooled, and subsequently frozen. The pools were diluted and frozen in solutions containing powdered coconut water (ACP-104) and 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and were supplemented with different polysaccharide concentrations (100, 250, 500, or 1000 μg/mL) from seaweed or Nile tilapia skin. Semen cryopreserved in an un-supplemented solution was used as control. After 45 days, the samples were thawed by immersion in a water bath (45 °C/8 s) and the membrane integrity, the morphology and, the sperm motility kinetics were evaluated. There were no differences in sperm kinetics for any of the analyzed parameters that could be linked to the polysaccharide source that was used. For membrane integrity, semen supplemented with sulfated polysaccharides from Nile tilapia skin showed better results (76.3 ± 1.9%) compared to treatments supplemented with A. muscoides (65.0 ± 1.8%), C. cupressoides (66.1 ± 1.7%), or S. filiformis (68.8 ± 1.0%), but there was no difference compared to the control (73.6 ± 2.9%). For morphology, the best results were observed in semen supplemented with C. cupressoides (86.7 ± 0.8%) and S. filiformis (87.7 ± 1.0%) polysaccharides at 100 μg/mL. For the mean path velocity (VAP), semen treated with 250 μg/mL of polysaccharides was significantly faster for A. muscoides (21.1 ± 2.4 μm/s) compared to S. filiformis (15.8 ± 1.7 μm/s). However, at 1000 μg/mL, these two red algae shown to be more efficient than the green algae. In C. cupressoides, 1000 μg/mL of polysaccharides showed lower velocity (13.8 ± 1.5 μm/s) than the other concentrations. In S. filiformis, 100 μg/mL and 1000 μg/mL of polysaccharides did not differ and presented higher VAP than 250 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL. Therefore, the addition of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from aquatic sources to ACP-104 and 10% DMSO solution is safe and has a potential of applicability on C. macropomum semen cryopreservation.

Dietary seaweed (Enteromorpha) polysaccharides improves growth performance involved in regulation of immune responses, intestinal morphology and microbial community in banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of marine polysaccharides from seaweed Enteromorpha on growth performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and microbial community in the banana shrimp Fenneropenaeus merguiensis. Two thousand and four hundred juvenile shrimps with an average body weight of 2.18 ± 0.06 g were fed for 42 d with diets containing different levels of Enteromorpha polysaccharides (EPS): 0 (control), 1, 2 and 3 g/kg as treatment groups, each of group was replicated three times with two hundred shrimps per replicate. Dietary supplementation of 1 g/kg EPS showed a consistent improvement in the final weight, weight gain, average daily gain rate (ADGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) (P < 0.05), while showed a decrease in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) of shrimp (P < 0.05). Besides, the total anti-oxidative capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST), lysozyme (Lyz), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and phenoloxidase (PO) activities in hemolymph were enhanced by dietary supplementation of 1 g/kg EPS (P < 0.05), while it reduced the hemolymph MDA content (P < 0.05). Shrimp fed 1 g/kg EPS supplemented diets up-regulated FmLyz, FmSOD5 and FmCLAP gene expression level of hepatopancreas and gill (P < 0.05), and also improved the intestinal FmLC2, FmLyz, FmSOD5 and FmCLAP gene expression levels (P < 0.05). In addition, shrimp fed diets containing 1 g/kg EPS increased the villus width (P < 0.05) and resulted in a higher villus surface area (P < 0.05). According to 16S rRNA sequencing results, dietary supplementation of 1 g/kg EPS tended to increase the relative abundance of Firmicutes at phylum level (P = 0.07) and decrease the relative abundance of Vibrio at genus level (P = 0.08). There was a significant positive correlation between the relative abundance of Firmicutes and mRNA expression of intestinal immune-related genes (P < 0.05). These findings revealed that dietary 1 g/kg EPS could improve growth performance, enhance nonspecific immunity and modulate intestinal function of banana shrimp F. merguiensis.

Extracts and Marine Algae Polysaccharides in Therapy and Prevention of Inflammatory Diseases of the Intestine.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a serious public health problem worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies that use anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biological treatments are often ineffective and have adverse health effects. In this regard, the use of natural compounds aimed at key pathogenic therapeutic targets in IBD attracts universal attention. Seaweed is a valuable source of structurally diverse biologically active compounds. The materials presented in the review indicate that seaweed extracts and polysaccharides are effective candidates for the development of drugs, biological food additives, and functional nutrition products for the treatment and prevention of IBD. The structural features of algal polysaccharides provide the possibility of exposure to therapeutic targets of IBD, including proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, nuclear factor NF-kB, intestinal epithelial cells, reactive oxygen and nitrogen. Further study of the relationship between the effect of polysaccharides from different types of algae, with different structure and molecular weights on immune and epithelial cells, intestinal microorganisms will contribute to a deeper understanding of their mechanisms and will help in the development of drugs, dietary supplements, functional foods for the treatment of patients with IBD.

Quantification of 3,6-anhydro-galactose in red seaweed polysaccharides and their potential skin-whitening activity.

This study determined the composition of the monosaccharide, 3, 6-anhydrogalactose (AnGal), in red algae and explored the potential whitening activity of the extract. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), the AnGal composition of six different species of red seaweed (Porphyra haitanensis, Gracilaria chouae, Gracilaria blodgettii, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, Eucheuma galetinae, and Gelidium amansii) was successfully analyzed, revealing molar ratios ranging from 1.0:1.0 to 1.0:3.1 of AnGal and galactose (Gal), respectively. Employing the tyrosinase inhibition assay, the skin-whitening effect of AnGal red seaweed polysaccharides was determined. Polysaccharides from P. haitanensis, G. chouae, and G. blodgettii as well as their degradation products showed higher tyrosinase inhibitory activity (inhibition rates 24.2-26.8%). These results suggest that the GC-MS approach could conveniently be used in quality control or for the quantitative determination of AnGal and Gal in red seaweed polysaccharides as well as exploring their potential application in cosmetic and functional food products. The findings here exhibited that red seaweed polysaccharides and their degradation products were potential ingredients for cosmeceutical industries.

Cytotoxic and pharmacokinetic studies of Indian seaweed polysaccharides for formulating raindrop synbiotic candy

Gut microbiome evidenced as the assembling mode of action facilitates the relationship of environmental factors (such as diet and lifestyle) with colorectal cancer. The cytotoxic and anticancer studies of the enzymatically extracted polysaccharides from selected Indian seaweeds (such as S. wightii, E. compressa, and A. spicifera) on Raw 264.7 macrophage and HT-29 human colon cancer cell line were investigated. E. compressa showed nitric oxide production up to a concentration of 6.99 ± 0.05 μM. The polysaccharide extract of seaweed (PES), A. spicifera (100 μg/ml) had shown the highest in-vitro cytotoxicity effect on HT-29 cells up to 52.13 ± 1.4%. Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) predictions were performed for exploring the possibility of anti-cancer drug development. The formulated synbiotic candy exhibited post storage survivability of probiotic species L. plantarum NCIM 2083 up to 107 CFU/ml until three weeks and it could be an aesthetic functional food for treating colon cancer.

Extraction and Modification of Macroalgal Polysaccharides for Current and Next-Generation Applications.

Marine macroalgal (seaweed) polysaccharides are highly promising for next-generation applications in several industries. However, despite the reported comprehensive potential of these polysaccharides, commercial products are scarce on the market. Seaweed cultivations are increasing in number and production quantity, owing to an elevated global trend of utilization interest in seaweed. The extraction of polysaccharides from seaweed generally generates low yields, but novel methods are being developed to facilitate and improve the extraction processes. Current areas of applications for seaweed polysaccharides mainly take advantage of the physicochemical properties of certain polysaccharides, such as gelling, thickening and emulsifying. However, many of the numerous bioactivities reported are still only at research level and lack clinical evidence for commercialization. It has been suggested the construction of smaller units may generate better defined molecules that are more suitable for biomedical applications. Enzymatic modification is a promising tool for the generation of more defined, targeted biomolecules. This review covers; structural differences between the most predominant marine algal polysaccharides, extraction processes, modification alternatives, as well as a summary of current and potential next-generation application areas.

Comparative study on skin protection activity of polyphenol-rich extract and polysaccharide-rich extract from Sargassum vachellianum.

Seaweed polyphenols and polysaccharide plays a broad range of biological activity. The objective of the present study was to study and compare the skin protection activity of fucoidan rich polysaccharide extract (SPS) and polyphenol-rich extract (SPP) from the seaweed Sargassum vachellianum. The skin protection activity was analyzed based on their ability to scavenge free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals, UV absorption potential, tyrosinase inhibition, moisture preservation, and antibacterial activity. From the results, both SPP and SPS protects the skin from UV damage. SPP showed good free radical scavenging ability, antimicrobial activity against E.coli and S. aureus and effectively absorbed the UVB and UVA rays whereas SPS hardly absorbs the UVA and UVB rays and showed weak free radical scavenging ability and no antimicrobial activity. SPS showed considerable inhibition on tyrosinase (51.21%) and had better moisture absorption (52.1%) and retention (63.24%) abilities than SPP. The results specified that both SPS and SPP have balancing potential on skin protection and suitable combinations of both could act as an active ingredient in cosmetics.

Polysaccharides of Seaweeds' Cell Walls: Structure and Features (a Review)

Polysaccharides of Seaweeds' Cell Walls: Structure and Features (a Review)

Extensive Transfer of Genes for Edible Seaweed Digestion from Marine to Human Gut Bacteria

Humans harbor numerous species of colonic bacteria that digest the fiber polysaccharides in commonly consumed terrestrial plants. More recently in history, regional populations have consumed edible macroalgae seaweeds containing unique polysaccharides. It remains unclear how extensively gut bacteria have adapted to digest these nutrients and use these abilities to colonize microbiomes around the world, especially outside Asia. Here, we show that the ability of gut bacteria to digest seaweed polysaccharides is more pervasive than previously appreciated. We show that enrichment-cultured Bacteroides harbor previously known genes for seaweed degradation, which have mobilized into many members of this genus. We identify previously unknown examples of marine bacteria-derived genes, and their mobile DNA elements, that are involved in degrading seaweed polysaccharides, including genes in gut-resident Firmicutes. Our results are important for understanding the metabolic plasticity of the human gut microbiome and the global exchange of genes in the context of dietary selective pressures.

Marine Seaweed Polysaccharides-Based Engineered Cues for the Modern Biomedical Sector.

Seaweed-derived polysaccharides with unique structural and functional entities have gained special research attention in the current medical sector. Seaweed polysaccharides have been or being used to engineer novel cues with biomedical values to tackle in practice the limitations of counterparts which have become ineffective for 21st-century settings. The inherited features of seaweed polysaccharides, such as those of a biologically tunable, biocompatible, biodegradable, renewable, and non-toxic nature, urge researchers to use them to design therapeutically effective, efficient, controlled delivery, patient-compliant, and age-compliant drug delivery platforms. Based on their significant retention capabilities, tunable active units, swelling, and colloidal features, seaweed polysaccharides have appeared as highly useful materials for modulating drug-delivery and tissue-engineering systems. This paper presents a standard methodological approach to review the literature using inclusion-exclusion criteria, which is mostly ignored in the reported literature. Following that, numerous marine-based seaweed polysaccharides are discussed with suitable examples. For the applied perspectives, part of the review is focused on the biomedical values, i.e., targeted drug delivery, wound-curative potential, anticancer potentialities, tissue-engineering aspects, and ultraviolet (UV) protectant potential of seaweed polysaccharides based engineered cues. Finally, current challenges, gaps, and future perspectives have been included in this review.

Beneficial effects of three brown seaweed polysaccharides on gut microbiota and their structural characteristics: An overview

SummaryThe gut microbiota appears critical in the metabolic health and anti‐disease activity. In this review, we discuss three brown seaweed polysaccharides (alginate, laminarin, fucoidan) for their structural information, the digestive behaviour and the effects on gut microbiota. Bioactivities are associated with various physicochemical properties, like solubility, viscosity, hydration properties, molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and so on. Brown seaweed polysaccharides can be completely utilised by microbes in the large bowel, and they can regulate the gut microbiota. The ultimate metabolite of these polysaccharides is mainly short‐chain fatty acids, which are able to regulate the ecology of the gut microbiota by increasing the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibiting the growth of some harmful bacteria. In addition, this article also discusses the relationship between the structure and activity of modulating the gut microbiota. Results show that polysaccharides with low molecular weight are more conductive to modulate gut microbiota.

Therapeutic effects of an orally administered edible seaweed-derived polysaccharide preparation, ascophyllan HS, on a Streptococcus pneumoniae infection mouse model

Ascophyllan HS is a commercially available preparation of the edible brown alga Ascophyllum nodosum containing ascophyllan, a sulfated polysaccharide with diverse beneficial biological activities. In this study, the effects of ascophyllan HS were evaluated in a severe intranasal Streptococcus pneumoniae infection mouse model. The control untreated mice started to die on day 7 and 80% had died by day 14 post-infection. Continuous oral administration of ascophyllan HS before and after bacterial infection resulted in a remarkable increase in survival rate, with 90% of the low (167 mg/kg body weight/day) and 100% of the high (500 mg/kg body weight/day) dose ascophyllan HS-treated mice surviving at day 14 post-infection. Histopathological observation of the lungs of the infected mice revealed the induction of typical pneumonia features in the alveolar spaces of the untreated control mice, such as extensive infiltration of inflammatory cells, edema, and fibrin deposition. In contrast, notable levels of lung injuries or alterations were not observed in the ascophyllan HS-treated mice, and only a minor lesion was observed in one mouse. Furthermore, bacterial burdens in the lungs were significantly reduced in the ascophyllan HS-treated mice as compared to the control mice at day 4 post-infection. Significantly higher levels of IL-12 were detected in the serum of ascophyllan HS-treated mice than that of control mice measured at the end of the infection experiment (day 14). These results suggest that orally administered ascophyllan HS exerts a therapeutic effect on S. pneumoniae infection by activating the host defense systems. This is the first report of the therapeutic effect of an orally administered seaweed polysaccharide preparation on S. pneumoniae infection. Our findings suggest that ascophyllan HS has the potential to be developed as nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals applicable for humans as well as a safe and promising therapeutic agent against S. pneumoniae infection.

Hypolipidemic Effects of Polysaccharides from Fermented Seaweed

To study the hypolipidemic effect of a fermented seaweed polysaccharide on experimental hyperlipidemic mice for Conducted a series of work. Algal polysaccharides can alleviate hyperlipidemia and decrease risks of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to investigate effects of algal polysaccharides fermented by Yeast and Lactobacillus plantarum on hematic fat level of mice fed with high fat diet. Forty mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal control group (NC), high-fat control group (HFC), high concentration of seaweed polysaccharide (HSP), low concentration of seaweed polysaccharide (LSP), respectively. The NC group was fed with the basic diet, while the other groups were fed with high-fat diet. After the experimenta period (4W), mice were sacrificed by decapitation. Results demonstrated that fermented algal polysaccharides could regulate lipid levels, the increase in HDL-c and decrease in TG, TC and LDL-c. In conclusion, algal polysaccharides fermented by Yeast and Lactobacillus plantarum may has effect of hypolipidemic.

Advances in Application of Alginate Lyase And Its Enzymatic Hydrolysate

Alginate is a linear, water-soluble acidic seaweed polysaccharide composed of L-guluronic acid and its C5 epimer D-mannuronic acid, a general term for hydrophilic derivatives of alginic acid. It is widely found in various brown algae. Alginate lyase and its enzymatic hydrolysate have a variety of biological activities and become a new research hotspot. This paper reviews the source, classification, enzymatic mechanism and enzymatic properties of alginate lyase, and summarizes the function and application of alginate lyase and its enzymatic hydrolysate brown algal oligosaccharide, in order to provide a base for the development and application of alginate lyase and its products.

Formulation and characterisation of O/W emulsions stabilised with modified seaweed polysaccharides

AbstractIn this study, seaweed polysaccharides (alginate and carrageenan) were modified with dodecenylsuccinic anhydride (DSA), and their stabilising properties in oil‐in‐water (O/W) emulsion system were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics were determined by droplet size, interfacial tension and ζ‐potential and structurally verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Both CRG‐DSA and ALG‐DSA applied in O/W emulsion system exhibited smaller droplet sizes over the increasing concentration and were more stable during storage than native ones. The ζ‐potential of DSA‐modified seaweed polysaccharides has more negative charge compared with their native forms, owing to the additional carboxyl groups from modification reaction. In addition, DSA‐modified seaweed polysaccharides decreased the interfacial tension at soybean oil–water interface from 23.1 and 23.9 mN m−1 to 14.2 and 13.6 mN m−1, respectively. The successful modification reaction was confirmed by FTIR analysis. This study demonstrated that DSA‐modified seaweed polysaccharides may serve as prospective emulsifiers in food, pharmaceutical and other industrial fields.

In vivo prebiotic properties of Ascophyllum nodosum polysaccharide hydrolysates from lactic acid fermentation

Crude polysaccharide from seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (SCP) was digested enzymatically using cellulase and pectinase followed by lactic acid fermentation by Lactobacillus plantarum or Enterococcus faecalis to obtain crude polysaccharide hydrolysate (SCPH). The total carbohydrates of SCPH (26.76%) were higher than SCP (22.68%). The sulphate content (which indicated sulphate ester groups of sulphated polysaccharides such as fucoidan) was higher relatively after enzymatic and lactic fermentation (from 17.14 to 25.36%). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy established a peak between 1228 and 1226 cm-1—which indicated sulphate ester groups, a component of fucoidan—was observed in all A. nodosum polysaccharides but not with purified alginate. Peaks at 814–817 cm-1 indicated also monosaccharide-linked sulphate groups—located at C-2 and C-3—which again highlighted the presence of fucoidan. The capacity of these fragments and other seaweed carbohydrates (alginates) to lower blood glucose was ranked in the order ‘hydrolysed’ alginate, native alginate, SCPH and SCP. Hydrolysed alginate fed to rats produced the greatest quantity of acetic acid followed by native alginate, SCPH (by L. plantarum), SCPH (by E. faecalis) and SCP (23.62, 18.02, 14.95, 14.04 and 12.10 mM respectively). Hydrolysed alginate and native alginate showed better potential gut health benefits (prebiotic properties) in terms of either gastrointestinal (GI) transit resistance or SCFAs production compared with crude seaweed polysaccharide due to the higher percentage of polysaccharides. A novel process to produce seaweed polysaccharides with beneficial bioactivities was proposed.

Nutraceutical Potential of Seaweed Polysaccharides: Structure, Bioactivity, Safety, and Toxicity.

In recent years, marine organisms including seaweeds have been highlighted as potential sources of useful metabolites and bioactive compounds, with vast biological and physiological activities. Seaweeds have long been used as a food source, for medicinal purposes, and as dietary supplements in various Asian countries, and their potential benefits have recently attracted the attention of many Western and European countries. Their commercial value depends on their applications in the food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical industries. Seaweeds are considered a potential source of nutraceuticals or functional foods, and analysis of taste-oriented motives has revealed that seaweeds are preferentially selected over other types of marine foods by seafood consumers and people with high levels of health, education, and living status. It is a general perception that health conscious people prefer environmentally friendly food sources, and present an opportunity to focus on seaweed-based foods, which have significant nutritional benefits to humans. Among the various bioactive constituents, seaweed polysaccharides have been proven to possess various beneficial properties including anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, and antiviral activities. The diversity and composition of seaweed polysaccharides play vital roles in these biological activities. Seaweeds are a rich source of sulfated polysaccharides, which are responsible for much of the bioactivity, as they can interact with various textures and cellular proteins. A number of toxicological assays and clinical trials suggest that the ingestion of seaweeds as functional foods should be considered worldwide to improve immune responses. In this review, different polysaccharides from seaweeds and their compositions and potential nutraceutical applications are discussed.

Recent Advances on Bioactivity of Seaweed Polysaccharides

Recent Advances on Bioactivity of Seaweed Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides from Grateloupia filicina enhance tolerance of rice seeds (Oryza sativa L.) under salt stress

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a salt-sensitive crop which could be suppressed seriously by salt stress at germination stage. Some seaweeds polysaccharides could enhance plants resistance but there is little research about polysaccharides from Grateloupia filicina in agriculture. Therefore, G. filicina polysaccharide (GFP) and low molecular weight (MW) G. filicina polysaccharide (LGFP) were applied to rice seeds under salt stress (GFP: 2093.4 kDa, LGFP-1: 40.8 kDa, LGFP-2: 22.6 kDa, LGFP-3: 5.1 kDa, LGFP-4: 3.0 kDa). Relatively low MW polysaccharides LGFP1–4 showed better effect than GFP, and LGFP-1 showed the best effect on germination potential, germination index, shoot/root length and vigor index than negative control by 26.67, 14.27, 30.50, 202.65 and 162.78%, respectively. Optimum concentration was determined at 0.1 mg/mL, and LGFP-1 increased proline content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase activities (POD) which improved ability of osmotic adjustment and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging. FITC-labeled LGFP-1 (F-LGFP-1) was to investigate the polysaccharide absorption and it was be observed in root and shoot with different distribution. Finally, expression of Na+/H+ antiporter gene was up regulated which suggested LGFP-1 could protect rice seeds by regulating Na+ content. This research showed potential application of polysaccharides from G. filicina for increasing rice seeds salt tolerance.