Quantification and characterization of fucoidans from different brown algae from Nuevo Gulf, Chubut, Argentina

Abstract

Fucoidans of many species have been investigated due to their biological activity. Although the relationship between these bioactivities and the structure of fucoidans has not yet been elucidated, it has been proven that the composition of monosaccharides, the content and distribution of sulfate esters, and the molecular weight play a fundamental role. The objective of this work is to make an initial evaluation of four species of brown algae from the coasts of the Nuevo Gulf, as possible sources of fucoidans. For this, dry tissues of Myriogloea major, Eudesme virescens, Colpomenia sinuosa and Asperococcus ensiformis were subjected to the same extraction protocol. Yields, monosaccharide composition, sugar content, sulfates, uronic acids, and proteins were compared. The results suggest that M. major can be a source of fucoidans, one of its extracts was chosen to carry out its fractionation and, in the future, to advance with its structural elucidation.