Production of Active Poly- and Oligosaccharidic Fractions from Ulva sp. by Combining Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE) and Depolymerization

Abstract

Data on fractionation and depolymerization of the matrix ulvan polysaccharides, and studies on the biological activities on skin cells, are very scarce. In this work, crude ulvans were produced by using EAE (enzyme-assisted extraction) and compared to maceration (an established procedure). After different fractionation procedures—ethanolic precipitation, dialysis, or ammonium sulfate precipitation—the biochemical composition showed that EAE led to an increased content in ulvans. Coupling EAE to sulfate ammonium precipitation led to protein enrichment. Oligosaccharides were obtained by using radical depolymerization by H2O2 and ion-exchange resin depolymerization. Sulfate groups were partially cleaved during these chemical treatments. The potential bioactivity of the fractions was assessed using a lipoxygenase inhibition assay for anti-inflammatory activity and a WST-1 assay for human dermal fibroblast viability and proliferation. All ulvans extracts, poly- and oligosaccharidic fractions from EAE, expanded the fibroblast proliferation rate up to 62%. Our research emphasizes the potential use of poly- and oligosaccharidic fractions of Ulva sp. for further development in cosmetic applications.

Poly- and Oligosaccharide Ulva sp. Fractions from Enzyme-Assisted Extraction Modulate the Metabolism of Extracellular Matrix in Human Skin Fibroblasts: Potential in Anti-Aging Dermo-Cosmetic Applications

“…Previous detailed biochemical characterization analysis (carbohydrates, uronic acids, sulfate groups, and proteins) and molecular weight distribution of the poly- and oligosaccharide fractions from Ulva sp. derived from EAE were performed [ 36 ]. Data are combined in Table 1 .…”

“…Our main scope is to evaluate the potential biological activities of poly- and oligosaccharide fractions from Ulva sp. obtained after an innovative Enzyme-Assisted Extraction (EAE) process, which is known to improve the yield of extraction [ 5 ] and allow a significant fraction enrichment in ulvans when compared to maceration [ 36 ], on the metabolism of human skin dermal fibroblasts in culture.…”

“…Previous studies have demonstrated that fractions from Ulva sp. (crude ulvans and low molecular weight ulvans) have the ability to modulate normal human dermal fibroblasts proliferation [ 36 , 37 , 38 ]. Our results indicated that both poly- and oligosaccharide fractions from EAE induced a significant increase of fibroblast metabolic activity (up to +68%).…”

“…For now, only a few studies have investigated the effect of Ulva sp. fractions on fibroblast skin cells metabolism at both proteomic and transcriptomic levels [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ] and, to date, no complete study at the proteomic and transcriptomic level was conducted from Ulva poly- and oligosaccharide fractions derived from the EAE process. In this perspective, this study investigates, in vitro, the effects of poly- and oligosaccharide fractions from Ulva sp.…”

Ulvan, a Polysaccharide from Macroalga Ulva sp.: A Review of Chemistry, Biological Activities and Potential for Food and Biomedical Applications

“…Ulva sp. as a nutraceutical agent can be utilized as food that shows beneficial physiological functions, improves well-being, and reduces the possibility of suffering from certain diseases, such as, inflammatory disorders [12], cancer [13], antibacterial [14], and virus infections [15,16]; and also act as an immunomodulating [17] and hypolipidemic agent [2,18]. It is widely believed that these functions are preventive rather than curative.…”