Biologists have extracted bioactive complex sugars from brown algae
Scientists at BFU named after Kant Immanuel have extracted polysaccharide fucoidan from brown algae with antioxidant and antimicrobial action. It is able to protect cells of living organisms from the damaging effects of harmful free radicals. In addition, the experiments have shown that fucoidan from brown algae inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli. Due to such properties, it can be considered as the basis of antimicrobial drugs, dietary supplements and cosmetics components. The results of the study were published in the Food Bioscience journal.
Brown algae contains a large number of valuable compounds with antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One of them is polysaccharide fucoidan, a substance that helps cells with fighting inflammations and defending themselves from destructing as well as activating the human immune system. However, until now, obtaining fucoidan without impurities which limit its effectiveness was rather difficult.
Scientists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (Kaliningrad) with colleagues from Kaliningrad State Technical University (Kaliningrad) have suggested an approach that allows to extract a maximum of beneficial polysaccharides from Fucus vesiculosus brown algae growing in cold northern seas.
The authors dried and grounded the algae, after which they selected a useful compound extraction technique that uses salt solution (calcium chloride) because it gives both maximum output of the desired substance and the necessary degree of its purity. This allowed scientists to obtain target polysaccharide in a beige powder form.
The biologists examined therapeutic properties of fucoidan and proved that the obtained polysaccharide is capable of binding more than 75% of dangerous radicals and therefore protecting living cells from their negative impact. In addition, the experiments have shown that the obtained fucoidan is able to suppress the growth and development of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli — bacteria that causes suppuration of wounds and the urinary tract, respiratory and digestive systems diseases. Due to this, the substance extracted from fucus could potentially be used in antimicrobial drugs.
"We have found a way to isolate fucoidan from brown algae so that it preserved its high biological activity. Nowadays fucoidan is mainly used in dietary supplements and cosmetics, but our data confirms: it may be viewed as a functional ingredient in the formulation of a new generation of foods. In the future we are planning on studying the mechanisms of therapeutical properties of this macromolecule more thoroughly, as well as refining its extraction technology in order to implement it into production",—says Stanislav Sukhikh, doctor of technical sciences, professor at BFU named after Kant Immanuel.
More information:
doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2026.108455
Provided by Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
