Fucoidan

Fucoidan is a long chain sulfated polysaccharide found in various species of brown algae. Commercially available fucoidan is commonly extracted from the seaweed species Fucus vesiculosus (wracks), Cladosiphon okamuranus, Laminaria japonica (kombu, sugar kelp) and Undaria pinnatifida (wakame).[1][2] Variant forms of fucoidan have also been found in animal species, including the sea cucumber.[3]

Fucoidan occurs in the cell walls of the seaweed plant and serves to protect it from external stresses. The same protective benefits that are of value to the seaweed plant have also found to be of potential benefit for both human and animal health. Fucoidan extracts are utilised in a range of therapeutic health care preparations, being incorporated as high value ingredients in nutritional, medical device, skincare and dermatological products.[4]

The bioactivity of fucoidan extracts is largely determined by the fucoidan extraction method[5] and the seaweed species from which it is extracted. Fucoidan extraction methods, purity, bioactivity, global regulatory approvals and source seaweed species vary between fucoidan producers.

  1. ^ Fitton, J Helen (2011). "Therapies from Fucoidan; Multifunctional Marine Polymers". Marine Drugs. 9 (10): 1731–1760. doi:10.3390/md9101731. PMC 3210604. PMID 22072995.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference berteau&bulloy-cited was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Atashrazm, Farzaneh (2015). "Fucoidan and Cancer: A Multifunctional Molecule with Anti-Tumor Potential". Marine Drugs. 13 (4): 2327–2346. doi:10.3390/md13042327. PMC 4413214. PMID 25874926.
  4. ^ Fitton, J Helen (2015). "Therapies from Fucoidan: An Update". Marine Drugs. 13 (9): 5920–5946. doi:10.3390/md13095920. PMC 4584361. PMID 26389927.
  5. ^ Ale, Marcel (2011). "Important determinants for fucoidan bioactivity: a critical review of structure-function relations and extraction methods for fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides from brown seaweeds". Marine Drugs. 9 (10): 2106–2130. doi:10.3390/md9102106. PMC 3210621. PMID 22073012.