Structure of Fucoidan

Fucoidan is chemically a high molecular polysaccharide consisting mainly of sugar called "sulfated fucose". Fucoidan is mainly found in the cell wall matrix and is a resistant and barrier component. The structure of fucoidan is complex, and the components and ratios of fucoidan extracted from different brown algae by different extraction methods are different. After research, it was found that the main constituent unit of fucoidan is 1, 2-α-fucose or 1, 3-α-fucose. Research shows that fucoidan has a variety of biological activities. For example, anticoagulant, antitumor, antiviral, hypolipidemic, and immunity-enhancing pharmacological activities.

Fig.1 The metabolic pathway of fucoidan. (Chao, et al., 2018)

Fucoidan Analysis Service at CD BioGlyco

CD BioGlyco has been involved in Polysaccharide Analysis for many years, so we offer our clients a full range of fucoidan analysis services. The analytical testing services we provide for fucoidan are:

• Polysaccharide content. We provide two determination methods: the phenol-sulfuric acid method and the anthrone-sulfuric acid method. According to the client's requirements, we will choose the suitable method.
• Sulfate content. The barium sulfate turbidimetric method is an effective method to determine sulfate content.
• Monosaccharide composition. For monosaccharide composition, we offer gas chromatography (GC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and ion exchange resin methods.
• Molecular weight. For molecular weight analysis, we provide gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and provide detailed analysis reports for clients.
• Structure and conformation of polysaccharides. For the structure of polysaccharides, we provide infrared, multi-dimensional nuclear magnetic and ultraviolet testing means, and provide detailed data analysis.
• Heavy metal content. Pb, Cd: dry digestion, graphite furnace method; Hg: alumina pentoxide method; As: silver salt method.

Fig.2 Analysis procedure of fucoidan. (CD BioGlyco)

Publication

Paper Title: Fucoidans from brown alga Fucus evanescens: structure and biological activity.

Technology: ¹H, ¹³C, and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy

Journal: Frontiers in Marine Science

Published: 2016

Results: The structures of the obtained modified fucoidans were studied by 1D (¹H, ¹³C) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, NOESY, HSQC, and HMBC) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and methylation analysis. As a result, fucoidan was shown to be a regular molecule containing disaccharide repeating units, with a linear main chain of alternating 2-sulfated 1,3-and 1,4-linked α- L-fucose residues. A methylation analysis of desulfated fucoidan showed that 1,3-and 1,4-linked fucose residues had a ratio of 1.2:1. Few sulfate groups were found in position 4 of some 1,3-linked fucose residues. Acetyl groups occupied the free C-3 of 1,4-linked residues and/or the C-4 of 1,3-linked fucose residues (Fig.3).

Fig.3 Structures of fucoidan from F. evanescens. (Menshova, et al., 2016)

Applications

• Fucoidan analysis is used in the development of anticoagulant drugs.
• Fucoidan analysis can be used in the analysis of antiviral and antitumor drugs.
• Fucoidan analysis technology can be used in lipid regulation research.

Advantages

• We have a wide range of methods for polysaccharide analysis and provide custom analysis solutions for our clients.
• Our researchers have extensive experience in polysaccharide analysis and help our clients solve their polysaccharide production and analysis challenges.

As a recognized expert in the field of polysaccharide analysis, CD BioGlyco has developed a complete workflow for fucoidan analysis and has performed many fucoidan analysis projects. Please feel free to contact us for any of your needs in this area.