Seaweed Polysaccharides Research Articles

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.

Effect of Microalgae Polysaccharides on Biochemical and Metabolomics Pathways Related to Plant Defense in Solanum lycopersicum.

Microalgae are photosynthetic microorganisms that produce several bioactive molecules that have received considerable attention in scientific and industrial communities. Today, many plant biostimulants including seaweed extracts and polysaccharides are used in agriculture. However, microalgae have not been largely exploited in this field as a potential source of plant bio stimulants. This study investigated the biostimulatory effects of microalgae polysaccharides on different metabolomic and biochemical pathways related to plant defense. 0.2mgmL-1 of crude polysaccharides extracted from four green microalgae strains was injected into tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum). β-1,3-glucanase activity, lipid remodeling, phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), Lipoxygenase (LOX), and antioxidant enzyme (APX, POD and CAT) activities were evaluated 48h after treatment. Plants treated with crude polysaccharides extracted from. C. vulgaris and C. sorokiniana exhibited a significant increase in β-1,3-glucanase activity. Accordingly, C. sorokiniana crude polysaccharides had a significant stimulatory effect on PAL activity with a percentage increase of 188.73% compared to the control. GC/MS quantitative lipidomics analysis revealed that treatment with D. salina, C. sorokiniana, and C. reinhardtii crude polysaccharides increased PUFA content by 50.37%, 34.46%, and 33.37% respectively. Microalgae polysaccharides also enhanced stearic acid, palmitic acid, and VLCFA content, the optimal value of which increased by 45.50%, 32.83%, and 60.60% respectively under treatment with C. reinhardtii crude polysaccharides compared with the control. C. vulgaris and C. reinhardtii crude polysaccharides also exhibited higher APX and POD activity respectively. The present results therefore indicate the potentiality of microalgae crude polysaccharides as a promising renewable bio resource in the development plant bio stimulants.

A review on the impact of seaweed polysaccharide on the growth of probiotic bacteria and its application in aquaculture

The purpose of this review is to elucidate the probiotic and polysaccharide of seaweeds as a dietary supplement for promoting growth and disease resistance in aquatic animals. Because of numerous benefits, the role of dietary supplementation of seaweed polysaccharide and probiotics in promoting growth and interest in commercially important aquatic animals like prawn and fish has generated considerable interest in recent times. Control of bacterial and viral disease and enhancing the immunity of aquatic animals have become urgent needs in aquaculture production. In order to improve the production, several alternative strategies have been raised using probiotics, seaweed polysaccharide (prebiotic), and plant products as biological control agents. Furthermore, the use of natural substances in feed of aquatic animals increases consumer confidence in farmed aquatic animals. Modulation of the intestinal microflora through diet can either be accomplished by means of oral administration of prebiotic compounds or probiotic microorganisms. In some studies for growth enhancement and improvement of immunological parameters, a combination of probiotics and plant products has been reported. The present review suggests the use seaweed polysaccharide and probiotics in combination as dietary supplements due to its beneficial effects to improve the production of healthy aquatic animals.

A study on catalytic co-pyrolysis of cellulose with seaweeds polysaccharides over ZSM-5: Towards high-quality biofuel production

During pyrolysis process, hundreds of parallel and successive pyrolytic reactions between different constituents take place forming complex products. Understanding the pyrolysis behavior of each individual component as well as the interaction of different components is a challenge to further elucidate the complex biomass pyrolysis process. The present study aimed to explore the effect of celluloses (CE), as a main component of lignocellulosic biomass, on catalytic co-pyrolysis of Enteromorpha clathrata polysaccharides (ENP) and Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides (SAP). The yields of bio-oil and non-condensable gas of pyrolyzed algal polysaccharides showed the lowest values, with the highest bio-char yield. However, co-pyrolysis of algal polysaccharides with CE enhanced the bio-oil yield of ENP and SAP by 34% and 29%, respectively, over the corresponding individual pyrolyzed polysaccharides. The results of GC–MS and FTIR of bio-oils confirmed the synergistic interaction between polysaccharides and CE during co-pyrolysis. Furthermore, bio-oils yields increased by 7.0% and 14.4% by catalytic co-pyrolysis of ENP + CE and SAP + CE, respectively. Interestingly, ZSM-5 resulted in significant reduction in acids and N-containing compounds of the produced bio-oil. In addition, ZSM-5 catalytic co-pyrolysis of the two studied polysaccharides with cellulose sharply increased furans and ketones proportions. The present results suggested catalytic co-pyrolysis as more favorable process for enhanced production of upgraded bio-oil.

Preparation, Characterization and Biological Applications of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles with Chitosan-Fucoidan Coating.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are gaining a great deal of attention in biomedical applications due to their unique physicochemical properties. In this study, green synthesis of AgNPs was developed using seaweed polysaccharide fucoidan. The AgNPs were further coated with chitosan to form an electrolyte complex on the surface. The developed chitosan–fucoidan complex-coated AgNPs were characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). FT-IR results suggested strong polyelectrolyte complexation between fucoidan and chitosan. The developed chitosan–fucoidan complex-coated AgNPs significantly inhibited microbial growth. Moreover, the AgNPs showed efficient anticancer activity in human cervical cancer cells (HeLa). This study demonstrated that chitosan–fucoidan complex-coated AgNPs hold high potential for food and cosmeceutical applications.

Biological and therapeutic properties of the seaweed polysaccharides

Seaweed polysaccharides isolated from the cell walls of various species of algae, possess immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antitumor, antithrombotic, anticoagulant and antioxidant bioactivities. Within the group of polysaccharides extracted from algae there are the phycocolloids. Colloids are extracted compounds that form colloidal solutions, an intermediate state between a solution and a suspension; they can be used commercially as thickeners, gelling agents and stabilizers for suspensions and emulsions. Hydrocolloids are carbohydrates that when dissolved in water form viscous solutions. Sulfated galactans (e.g. agars, carrageenans, porphyrans) can be obtained from red algae, (e.g. ulvans) from green algae, alginates and other sulfated polysaccharides (e.g. ascophyllan, laminaran and fucoidan) are obtained from selected brown algae. The historic origin of the main phycocolloids and other seaweed polysaccharides (e.g. agar, carrageenan, alginic acid - alginates), their chemistry, uses and bioactivities are described in this review.

Polysaccharide-Degrading Enzymes From Marine Gastropods.

Seaweed polysaccharides have been widely used as viscosifier, gelling agents, and stabilizer in the various application fields, e.g., food, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and chemical industries. Applications of seaweed polysaccharides are further expanding to versatile directions, e.g., biofuels, bioactive compounds, and functional materials for medical and basic researches. Production of functional oligo- and monosaccharides by the use of specific enzymes is also expected to improve the value of seaweed polysaccharides. The enzymes that depolymerize seaweed polysaccharides are distributed largely among seaweed-associating organisms like marine invertebrates and bacteria. Among them, herbivorous marine gastropods such as abalone and sea hare are the most prominent producers of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. To date, various kinds of polysaccharide-degrading enzymes have been isolated from the digestive fluid and hepatopancreas of these animals. Among them, alginate lyase, β-1,3-glucanase, mannanase, and cellulase are the major constituents of their digestive fluid. In this chapter, the authors describe the general methods for the preparation and activity assay of the gastropod polysaccharide-degrading enzymes and provide basic knowledge for their primary structures.

Efficiency of brown seaweed (Sargassum longifolium) polysaccharides encapsulated in nanoemulsion and nanostructured lipid carrier against colon cancer cell lines HCT 116.

Bioactive polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweeds have potent antioxidant, antitumor, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory activities and nanomedicine applications. In the present study, we have made an attempt to overcome the instability and bioavailability problem of exopolysaccharides extracted from brown seaweed (Sargassum longifolium) by nanoencapsulation technology to enhance its therapeutic applications. Exopolysaccharides was encapsulated in orange oil nanoemulsion (NE) prepared by ultra-sonication method and nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC) prepared by hot solvent diffusion method. The encapsulation efficiency of nanoemulsion was 67.29% and of nanostructured lipid carrier was 78.7%. The prepared nano carriers have particle size 178 nm (NE), 153 nm (NLC) and zeta potential −43.9 mV (NE), −60 mV (NLC). In vitro release kinetics of exopolysaccharides from NE (80%) and NLC (95%) was found to be slow and sustained release which indicates increase in bioavailability. The cytotoxic effect of seaweed polysaccharide, nanocarriers loaded with seaweed polysaccharide was analyzed by MTT method in colon cancer (HCT 116) cell lines with the results revealing that seaweed polysaccharide encapsulated with NLC (80%) was superior to that encapsulated with orange oil nanoemulsion (70%). This is the first report demonstrating the potential of brown seaweed exopolysaccharide encapsulated in orange oil nanoemulsion and nanostructured lipid carrier for its biomedical application.

Preparation and Characterization of Novel Pimecrolimus Nanoparticles for Therapy of Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Pimecrolimus is a novel anti-inflammatory drug for treating allergic conjunctivitis. However, its high hydrophobicity is the bottleneck for clinical application on anti-allergic conjunctivitis. Although ongoing efforts have been made to increase its hydrophilicity through hydration, the results are discouraging. Now, we developed the nanoparticle-encapsule of pimecrolimus in a new material synthesized from polymannuronic acid and oleyl amine. The drug loading and encapsulation efficiency of pimecrolimus nanoparticle were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, which were 12.38±0.04% and 94.58±0.07%, respectively. The mean particle size of pimecrolimus nanoparticle was 193.1±2.62 nm and polydisperse index was 0.176±0.018. Its spherical and homogeneous appearance were observed by transmission electron microscope. Furthermore, a mouse model of allergic conjunctivitis has been established to evaluate the efficacy of pimecrolimus nanoparticle. Treatment progress with clinical scoring and morphology of the conjunctiva histology were assessed in detail. The results have demonstrated that pimecrolimus nanoparticle could significantly relieve the inflammation signs of allergic conjunctivitis model mice and repair ocular surface goblet cells after a week of treatment twice a day. The improvement rate and inflammatory cell inhibition rate of the free pimecrolimus group versus pimecrolimus nanoparticle group were (49.18% vs. 71.26%), (67.43% vs. 81.18%), respectively. Such data further demonstrated pimecrolimus nanoparticle could be a good candidate as a promising ophthalmic agent for treating allergic conjunctivitis, meanwhile, a novel biodegradable seaweed polysaccharide derivative should be a potential carrier for lipophilic drug.

Graphene Oxide Reduction Activity of Seaweed Polymer Derivative:Efficient Bio-Based Alternative

The present study demonstrates utilization of functionalized seaweed polysaccharide, namely agarose–gallate (Ag–GA Est ) for the preparation of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) under mild reaction conditions. Ag–GA Est obtained with the lowest degree of substitution (degree of substitution (DS) = 0.45; with 1 : 0.5 w/w agarose : gallic acid) shows excellent performance compared to its high DS (1.1; with 1 : 2.0 w/w agarose : gallic acid) ester derivatives. Further, the formation of rGO was confirmed using UV–Vis, TEM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, elemental and XRD analysis. This study describes a new application of seaweed-derived polysaccharides.

Functional Effects of Sustained Release Drug Delivery of Water-Soluble Ion Complex using Seaweed Polysaccharide

Functional Effects of Sustained Release Drug Delivery of Water-Soluble Ion Complex using Seaweed Polysaccharide

Prospects of brown seaweed polysaccharides (BSP) as prebiotics and potential immunomodulators

Prebiotics enhance immune response through the modulation of intestinal microbial activities, production of short chain fatty acids (SCFA), direct interaction with toll-like receptors and mucin production. These non-digestible food components are known to be resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis by digestive enzymes and are utilized as carbon source for the growth of beneficial bacteria population through the process of fermentation. Brown seaweed polysaccharides (BSP) have been described as emerging prebiotics due to their potential to stimulate gut microbiota activities at in vitro and in vivo stages. This review therefore examines evidence of the relationship between the prebiotic capacity of BSP, their structure, extraction, and possible mechanisms of immunomodulation. Practical applications Bio-functional ingredients have been widely explored for numerous health benefits. Of interest to this review are polysaccharides of brown seaweed which have great prebiotic prospects. Prebiotics are important bio-functional ingredients having the potential to improve immune health. An understanding of the prebiotic and immunomodulatory potential of BSP provides the food industry a novel alternative source of prebiotics. Excerpts from this review will provide background knowledge and advance scientific research into prospects of BSP as prebiotics and a possible commercialization of BSP products.

Characterization and bioactivities of a novel polysaccharide obtained from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis.

Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis is a type of red alga that contains seaweed polysaccharide agar. In this study, a novel non-agar seaweed polysaccharide fraction named GCP (short of crude polysaccharide obtained from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis) was isolated from Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. Structural analysis showed that GCP shows triple helical chain conformation when dissolved in water and has many branches and long side chains. Also, 1→3 linkage is the major linkage and the sugar structures are galactopyranose configurations linked by β-type glycosidic linkages. Two macromolecular substance fractions (GCP-1 and GCP-2) were purified by DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow column chromatography. Moreover, a splenocyte damage assay and splenocyte proliferation assay were used to analyse the bioactivities of GCP, GCP-1 and GCP-2. It was demonstrated that polysaccharides could protect splenocyte damaged by H2O2; GCP-2 shows a greatest protection rate, that is, 92.8%, which significantly enhanced the splenocyte proliferation, and GCP showed the highest proliferation rate, 9.30%. The results suggested that this type of novel non-agar polysaccharide displayed remarkable antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities and early alkali treatment could decrease the activities. It may represent a potential material for health food and clinical medicines.

Effect of Content of Sulfate Groups in Seaweed Polysaccharides on Antioxidant Activity and Repair Effect of Subcellular Organelles in Injured HK-2 Cells.

This study aims to investigate the repair effect of subcellular structure injuries of the HK-2 cells of four degraded seaweed polysaccharides (DSPs), namely, the degraded Porphyra yezoensis, Gracilaria lemaneiformis, Sargassum fusiform, and Undaria pinnatifida polysaccharides. The four DSPs have similar molecular weight, but with different content of sulfate groups (i.e., 17.9%, 13.3%, 8.2%, and 5.5%, resp.). The damaged model was established using 2.8 mmol/L oxalate to injure HK-2 cells, and 60 μg/mL of various DSPs was used to repair the damaged cells. With the increase of sulfate group content in DSPs, the scavenging activity of radicals and their reducing power were all improved. Four kinds of DSPs have repair effect on the subcellular organelles of damaged HK-2 cells. After being repaired by DSPs, the release amount of lactate dehydrogenase was decreased, the integrity of cell membrane and lysosome increased, the Δψm increased, the cell of G1 phase arrest was inhibited, the proportion of S phase increased, and cell apoptotic and necrosis rates were significantly reduced. The greater the content of sulfate group is, the stronger is the repair ability of the polysaccharide. These DSPs, particularly the polysaccharide with higher sulfate group content, may be a potential drug for the prevention and cure of kidney stones.

Co-pyrolysis mechanism of seaweed polysaccharides and cellulose based on macroscopic experiments and molecular simulations

Co-pyrolysis conversion of seaweed (Enteromorpha clathrat and Sargassum fusiforme) polysaccharides and cellulose has been investigated. From the Py-GC/MS results, Enteromorpha clathrata (EN) polysaccharides pyrolysis mainly forms furans; while the products of Sargassum fusiforme (SA) polysaccharides pyrolysis are mainly acid esters. The formation mechanisms of H2O, CO2, and SO2 during the pyrolysis of seaweed polysaccharides were analyzed using the thermogravimetric-mass spectrometry. Meanwhile the pyrolysis of seaweed polysaccharide based on the Amber and the ReaxFF force fields, has also been proposed and simulated respectively. The simulation results coincided with the experimental results. During the fast pyrolysis, strong synergistic effects among cellulose and seaweed polysaccharide molecules have been simulated. By comparing the experimental and simulation value, it has been found that co-pyrolysis could increase the number of molecular fragments, increase the pyrolysis conversion rate, and increase gas production rate at the middle temperature range.