Search

Marine red macroalgae are natural sources of sulfated polysaccharides, water-binding molecules used in the food industry as thickeners, stabilizers and gelling agents. Sulfated polysaccharides extracted from the red seaweed Gracilaria caudata also show biological activities with potential therapeutic effects against diseases associated with oxidative stress; hence, it is possible that they may be used as nutraceuticals and/or food additives. This study aimed to obtain the sulfated polysaccharides from G. caudata (SP-Gc) through enzymatic extraction and to determine their chemical structure and antioxidant potential. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry showed that SP-Gc have 0.9% of sulfur atoms and a degree of sulfation of 0.14%. An average molecular mass of 116.51 kDa was determined through gel permeation chromatography. The SP-Gc structure as an agar-type galactan was determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy (13C and 1H). The in vitro antioxidant activity of SP-Gc was determined through the following tests: ferrous ion chelating ability and total antioxidant capacity. The results indicated that SP-Gc have significant antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner. The in vivo antioxidant activity of SP-Gc was evaluated in an oxidative stress model induced by 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (ABAP) in rats pretreated with SP-Gc (3 and 10 mg/kg). Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured and all doses increased CAT and SOD activity. These results demonstrate that SP-Gc may be used as hydrocolloids, due to their characterization as agar, and as nutraceuticals, due to their antioxidant activity.

The present work aimed at carrying out the isolation and biochemical characterization of a sulfated polysaccharide fraction (PLS) from the marine algae Gracilaria intermedia and investigating its anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential. PLS was obtained through enzymatic digestion with papain and analyzed by means of gel permeation chromatography and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance to 1H and 13C. In order to evaluate the potential of anti-inflammatory action of PLS, we performed paw edema induced by carrageenan, dextran, compound 48/80, histamine and serotonin. In addition, we also measured the concentration of myeloperoxidase, cytokines, the count of inflammatory cells and performed tests of the nociception. The PLS isolated was of high purity and free of contaminants such as proteins, and had molecular weight of 410 kDa. The same macromolecule was able to decrease the paw edema induced by all inflammatory agents (P

A sulfated polysaccharide from the red algae Gelidiella acerosa (GaSP) was obtained through enzymatic extraction and subjected to chemical characterization by HPSEC, elemental microanalysis, FT-IR and NMR spectroscopies. The GaSP anticoagulant activity was investigated through APTT and PT tests and platelet aggregation assessed by turbidimetry. The antithrombotic and hemorrhagic activities were evaluated by venous thrombosis and hemorrhagic tendency models, respectively. FT-IR and NMR demonstrated that GaSP is a sulfated agaran. HPSEC and elemental microanalysis revealed a peak molar mass of 284.8 kDa and a degree of sulfation of 0.63, respectively. This molecule prolonged the coagulation time in 2.1 times and inhibited the platelet aggregation by 45%. Furthermore, it showed significant dose-dependent antithrombotic effect of 40%, 64% and 80% at 0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg, respectively, without hemorrhage. These results suggest that GaSP has promising antithrombotic.

Sulphated polysaccharides extracted from algae have been extensively studied for their diverse biological activities. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, the anti-diarrhoeal effect and acute toxicity of a sulphated polysaccharide fraction obtained from Gracilaria intermedia (SP-Gi). Initially, the FT-IR of SP-Gi revealed to be an agaran with sulphation at C-6 of the l-galactosyl residues. The anti-diarrhoeal activity of SP-Gi was evaluated in a castor oil-induced diarrhoea model. The effects of SP-Gi on enteropooling, Na +-K +-ATPase activity, gastrointestinal transit, and gastric emptying were then examined. Subsequently, the effect of SP-Gi on diarrhoea induced by cholera toxin (CT) and Escherichia coli was examined. In addition, an acute toxicity test was conducted in accordance with OECD guideline 423. Pre-treatment with SP-Gi reduces the total faeces, total diarrhoeal faeces, and enteropooling. SP-Gi (30mg/kg p.o.) increased Na+/K+-ATPase activity and reduced gastrointestinal transit through anticholinergic mechanisms. ELISA demonstrated that SP-Gi can interact with GM1 receptors and CT. SP-Gi reduced diarrhoea induced by E. coli and prevented weight loss in the animals. Moreover, SP-Gi did not induce any toxicity signs. These results suggest that SP-Gi is a possible candidate for the treatment of diarrhoeal illnesses.

A sulfated polysaccharide (SFP) fraction from the marine alga Solieria filiformis was extracted and submitted to microanalysis, molar mass estimation and spectroscopic analysis. We evaluated its gastroprotective potential in vivo in an ethanol-induced gastric damage model and its in vitro antioxidant properties (DPPH, chelating ferrous ability and total antioxidant capacity). Its chemical composition revealed to be essentially an iota-carrageenan with a molar mass of 210.9kDa and high degree of substitution for sulfate groups (1.08). In vivo, SFP significantly (P

A sulfated polysaccharide fraction from the red alga Gracilaria intermedia (PLS) was obtained by papain digestion (60 °C, 30 min). The extract was subjected to colorimetry and turbidimetry analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 1H, 13 C and 2D 1H COSY nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis. Antioxidant activity tests were performed (chelation of ferrous ion, total antioxidant capacity, and scavenging of DPPH radicals); significant activity of the extract indicated that these polysaccharides may be used as non-synthetic antioxidants. The rheological behavior of aqueous polysaccharide solutions was studied at 25 ± 1 °C using steady-shear and dynamic oscillatory measurements. All the solutions analyzed showed pseudoplastic behavior and potential to act as a thickening agent, as proved through a preliminary comparison with a commercial product used for this application.

Macauba ( Acrocomia aculeata ) stands out as a productive palm tree found in arid and semiarid regions and has potential as a nutritive food, being a natural source of vitamins and minerals. Through the process of water removal, the aqueous activity of food is reduced, preventing the growth of microorganisms, particularly fungi and bacteria; hence slowing physicochemical and enzymatic deterioration during storage. The use of adjuvants in foods in appropriate levels is essential to maintain product acceptability, ensuring that the product does not exceed the limits established by legislation and also help in obtaining free-flowing powders. Maltodextrins with different dextrose equivalents are used for these purposes. Fruit drying should preferably preserve its flavor, aroma, original colors, avoid the use of chemical additives, provide a texture similar to the fresh product, and increase the availability of the product outside the harvest period. The physicochemical parameters of macauba powder, dried by two different methods, with and without the addition of 8% maltodextrin, were compared. The results confirm the findings in literature that fruit processing changes the contents of its constituents. These changes happen during the pulp processing (peeling, pulping) or in the application of heat treatments.

Ethnopharmacological relevance The use of marine seaweeds as a source of natural compounds with medicinal purposes is increasing in Western countries in the last decades, becoming an important alternative in the traditional medicine of many developing countries, where diarrhea still remains a severe public health problem, with high rates of mortality and morbidity. Sulfated polysaccharides (PLS) extracted from red seaweeds can exhibit therapeutic effects for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Thus, the pharmacological properties of the PLS from Gracilaria cervicornis , an endemic seaweed found in the Brazilian northeast coast, was evaluated as an alternative natural medication for diarrhea. Aim of the study This study aimed to evaluate the antidiarrheal activity of sulfated polysaccharides (PLS) extracted from the red seaweed G. cervicornis in Swiss mice pre-treated with castor oil or cholera toxin. Materials and methods The seaweed Gracilaria cervicornis was collected at Flecheiras beach (city of Trairi, State of Ceara, Brazil) and the PLS was obtained through enzymatic extraction and administered in mice (25–30 g) before diarrhea induction with castor oil or cholera toxin. For the evaluation of the total number of fecal output and diarrheal feces, the animals were placed in cages lined with adsorbent material. The evaluation of intestinal fluid accumulation (enteropooling) on castor oil-induced diarrhea in mice occurred by dissecting the small intestine and measuring its volume. The determination of Na + /K + -ATPase activity was measured in the small intestine supernatants by colorimetry, using commercial biochemistry kits. The gastrointestinal motility was evaluated utilizing an activated charcoal as a food tracer. The intestinal fluid secretion and chloride ion concentration were evaluated in intestinal closed loops in mice with cholera toxin-induced secretory diarrhea. The binding ability of PLS with GM1 and/or cholera toxin was evaluated by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results The G. cervicornis PLS showed antidiarrheal effects in both acute and secretory diarrhea, reducing the total number of fecal output, diarrheic stools, intestinal fluid accumulation, and increasing small intestine Na + /K + -ATPase activity on castor oil-induced diarrhea. However, the PLS did not affect gastrointestinal motility, indicating that this compound has a different action mechanism than loperamide. In secretory diarrhea, the PLS decreased intestinal fluid secretion and small intestine chloride excretion, binding with GM1 and/or cholera toxin and blocking their attachment to the enterocyte cell surface. Conclusions In conclusion, PLS has a significant antidiarrheal effect in acute and secretory diarrhea. Further investigation is needed towards its use as a natural medicine to treat diarrhea.