6.7 Applications
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between 200 and 800 kDa; therefore, this has a molecular weight in the midrange.
When tested on gram-negative bacteria S. enteritidis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, the
carrageenan extracted in this study did not present any antimicrobial activity against
these gram-negative bacteria. However, growth inhibition was observed when tested
against gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and C. albicans (Souza et al. 2018).
6.7.9 Antioxidant
In the long polymeric form, carrageenan has little or no reported antioxidant activity;
however when processed into derivative forms with shorter chain, varied degree of
sulfation, acetylation and phosphorylation, these derivatives have significant antioxidant activity (Yuan et al. 2005). For instance, short-chain oligosaccharides of carrageenan obtained from hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of the polysaccharide form
which were then oversulfated and acetylated showed antioxidant properties in vitro.
This antioxidant property was evident as scavenging effect on hydroxy oxides and
superoxides and DPPH radicals (Yuan et al. 2005).
Although carrageenan extracted from H. musciformis showed no cytotoxic effects
on cancer cells investigated, it demonstrated anticancer effect through the inhibition
of cancer cell proliferation (Souza et al. 2018). Taking results from different studies
leads to the conclusion that if at all, carrageenan only shows very low antioxidant
property which is dependent on the chemical structure of carrageenan in terms of
sulfation pattern. Much of the anticancer property of carrageenan seems to be due
to its ability to enhance innate immunity of the body in, for example, enhancing the
activity and production of killer cells.
6.7.10 Neuroprotective
However, very few studies have investigated the neuroprotective property of
carrageenan. Results from some studies show carrageenan activity against 6hydroxydopamine, a neurotoxicant (Souza et al. 2018). The mechanism of action
is demonstrated to be through having an inhibitory effect on caspase enzyme activity
and affecting the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Although these studies are
early stage studies on cell cultures, it does point to some potential neuroprotective
activity of carrageenan.
6.7.11 Immunomodulatory Activity
In cases where immune response leads to adverse reactions such as inflammations,
carrageenans have shown potential immunomodulatory effect. It is thought to do
139
between 200 and 800 kDa; therefore, this has a molecular weight in the midrange.
When tested on gram-negative bacteria S. enteritidis, E. coli and P. aeruginosa, the
carrageenan extracted in this study did not present any antimicrobial activity against
these gram-negative bacteria. However, growth inhibition was observed when tested
against gram-positive bacteria S. aureus and C. albicans (Souza et al. 2018).
6.7.9 Antioxidant
In the long polymeric form, carrageenan has little or no reported antioxidant activity;
however when processed into derivative forms with shorter chain, varied degree of
sulfation, acetylation and phosphorylation, these derivatives have significant antioxidant activity (Yuan et al. 2005). For instance, short-chain oligosaccharides of carrageenan obtained from hydrochloric acid hydrolysis of the polysaccharide form
which were then oversulfated and acetylated showed antioxidant properties in vitro.
This antioxidant property was evident as scavenging effect on hydroxy oxides and
superoxides and DPPH radicals (Yuan et al. 2005).
Although carrageenan extracted from H. musciformis showed no cytotoxic effects
on cancer cells investigated, it demonstrated anticancer effect through the inhibition
of cancer cell proliferation (Souza et al. 2018). Taking results from different studies
leads to the conclusion that if at all, carrageenan only shows very low antioxidant
property which is dependent on the chemical structure of carrageenan in terms of
sulfation pattern. Much of the anticancer property of carrageenan seems to be due
to its ability to enhance innate immunity of the body in, for example, enhancing the
activity and production of killer cells.
6.7.10 Neuroprotective
However, very few studies have investigated the neuroprotective property of
carrageenan. Results from some studies show carrageenan activity against 6hydroxydopamine, a neurotoxicant (Souza et al. 2018). The mechanism of action
is demonstrated to be through having an inhibitory effect on caspase enzyme activity
and affecting the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Although these studies are
early stage studies on cell cultures, it does point to some potential neuroprotective
activity of carrageenan.
6.7.11 Immunomodulatory Activity
In cases where immune response leads to adverse reactions such as inflammations,
carrageenans have shown potential immunomodulatory effect. It is thought to do