A Comprehensive and Comparative Analysis of the Fucoidan Compositional Data Across the Phaeophyceae

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.

The Therapeutic Potential of the Anticancer Activity of Fucoidan: Current Advances and Hurdles

“…Several studies have been conducted to develop fucoidan as an anticancer therapeutic by combining it with other anticancer agents [ 61 , 62 , 63 ]. However, more cancer studies are needed, particularly considering the discrepancies in the results of animal studies and human clinical trials, which can be caused due to the way the human body absorbs and processes fucoidan [ 52 , 64 , 65 , 66 ]. The next section briefly describes the known anticancer mechanisms of fucoidan.…”

Evaluation of the Effects of Fucoidans from Fucus Species and Laminaria hyperborea against Oxidative Stress and Iron-Dependent Cell Death

“…Naturally, they are important for the integrity of the algae cell wall and fend off pathogens and other harsh environmental effects of the ocean and prevent dehydration [1,2]. They exhibit many different biological activities that depend on the origin of the extract, harvest time, the extraction process, chemical composition, structure, and size [3][4][5][6]. High-molecular weight fucoidans reduce inflammatory cell activation, cytokine release, and macrophage infiltration [7,8].…”

Anti-Photoaging and Potential Skin Health Benefits of Seaweeds

“…Generally, this polysaccharides contains sulfate, fucose as the main sugar, uronic acids, acetyl groups, protein, and other monosaccharides (such as mannose, glucose, galactose, xylose, and rhamnose) [ 71 , 72 ]. The structures and monosaccharide compositions of fucoidans from different brown algae sources vary from different species.…”