Antibacterial Properties of Fucoidans from the Brown Algae Fucus vesiculosus L. of the Barents Sea

Abstract

Fucoidans, sulfated polysaccharides found in cell walls of brown algae, are considered as a promising antimicrobial component for various applications in medicine and the food industry. In this study, we compare the antibacterial properties of two fractions of fucoidan from the brown algae Fucus vesiculosus gathered in the littoral of the Barents Sea and sampled at different stages of purification. The crude fraction of fucoidan was isolated from algae by extraction with aqueous ethanol and sonication. The purified fraction was obtained by additional treatment of the crude fraction with a solution of calcium chloride. The structural features of both fractions were characterized in detail and their antibacterial effects against several Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were compared by photometry, acridine orange staining assay, and atomic force microscopy. Fucoidan inhibited growth in all of the above microorganisms, showing a bacteriostatic effect with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the range between 4 and 6 mg/mL, with E. coli being the most sensitive to both fractions. Changes in the chemical composition after treatment of the crude fraction with a solution of calcium chloride led to a decrease in the content of sulfates and uronic acids and diminished antibacterial activity.

Seaweed polysaccharides: Emerging extraction technologies, chemical modifications and bioactive properties

“…Fucoidan from L. japonica was used to analyze its antimicrobial activity and the fraction which had the highest uronic acid and sulfate content, exhibited the highest antimicrobial activity (M. Liu et al 2017). Similar results were reported in a study where the fucoidan with higher sulfate and uronic acid content showed a major antimicrobial activity degree than purified fucoidan (Ayrapetyan et al 2021). Nevertheless, (Ashayerizadeh, Dastar, and Pourashouri 2020) concluded that a fraction of S. tenerrimum with less uronic acid content showed the least antimicrobial activity.…”

The Biochemical Composition and Antioxidant Properties of Fucus vesiculosus from the Arctic Region

“…F. vesiculosus is a rich source of health-promoting compounds such as fucoidans, polyphenols, fucoxanthin, and essential minerals [ 9 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. Fucoidans are polysaccharides from the Fucan family and are distinguished as bioactive compounds unique to brown algae [ 18 ].…”

3-Hydroxy-5,6-epoxy-β-ionone Isolated from Invasive Harmful Brown Seaweed Sargassum Horneri Protects MH-S Mouse Lung Cells from Urban Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation

“…Among these marine organisms with bioactive compounds seaweeds have been identified as one of the richest sources of bioactive compounds [28]. Recently, several studies demonstrated the potential of seaweed-derived compounds to develop as functional materials due to their strong bioactive properties such as antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties [27][28][29]. Similar to previous studies, the results presented in this study demonstrate that HEBI isolated from invasive brown seaweed S. horneri can down-regulate UPM-induced inflammatory responses in MH-S macrophages, which can therefore potentially be a source of commercial ingredient in functional materials.…”