Other examples are xylans, floridean starch, sulphated galactans and mannans, ionic
polysaccharides which are obtained from Rhodophyta (red algae) and green algae
(Lloret 2010) respectively.
It is well proven now that human consumption of algal fibre is very beneficial
and can resolve many health-related problems with its many biological activities
like antitumor, anticoagulant, antiviral, and many others.
Fucidan which is a sulfated polysaccharide and made up of primarily L-fucose
can be found from the various sources of brown seaweeds like Saccharina
japonica, Fucus vesiculosus, Undaria pinnatifida, and Hizikia fusiformis and also
from marine invertebrates such as sea cucumber. Experimental analysis shows that,
fucoidans can be widely used in cosmetic products. When it is used topically it
forms a protective layer, enhances skin hydration and also helps in prevention and
treatment of skin photo aging. (Zheng et al. 2013 and Charissoux et al. 2013).
Carrageenan is also an example of sulfated polysaccharides which is found in
Rhodophyta (red algae). It is composed of D-galactose units. Carrageenan is used in
cosmetic industries as skin lotions, toothpaste binders, shaving foams, etc. It also
exhibits antioxidant, antiaging, and anti-cancer properties (Li et al. 2008).
Also, laminaran is an example of marine polysaccharides that produces anticoagulant activity when structural modification like sulfatin, reduction, or oxidation
occurs (Kanekiyo et al. 2007; Heo et al. 2002; Je et al. 2014).
17.2.4.2 Oligosaccharides
They are another class of carbohydrates that contains 3–10 sugar units. Marine
oligosaccharides are produced either in algae by natural process or by hydrolysis of
derived polysaccharides.
Oligosaccharides derived from seaweed have been proven as a potent antifungal,
antibacterial precursor. They also show defence action by enhancing pathogens
protection. In addition marine algae also includes oligosaccharides that are used as
prebiotic as egxylo/func-oligosaccharides and non-digestible oligomers (cannot
pass through GIT) so they can be used to enhance the growth of beneficial probiotic
bacteria (Rodríguez-Meizoso et al. 2010; Le et al. 2009). Bifidobacteria is an
example of probiotics which live in intestines and stomach and helps in digestion
and also provide protection from pathogens. K-Carrageenan isolated from
Kappaphycus alvarezii is very much beneficial for the prevention of colon carcinogenesis and also exerts cholesterol-lowering, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, alginate
oligosaccharides exerts antioxidant activities along with inhibitory action on
neuro-inflammation and enhances the microglial phagocytosis, thus promises a
potent nutraceutical agent against neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s diseases etc. Marine oligosaccharides have also been used in
food products, cosmetics, biomedicine etc. (Zaporozhets et al. 2014).
17 Biological Activities of Marine Products …
595
polysaccharides which are obtained from Rhodophyta (red algae) and green algae
(Lloret 2010) respectively.
It is well proven now that human consumption of algal fibre is very beneficial
and can resolve many health-related problems with its many biological activities
like antitumor, anticoagulant, antiviral, and many others.
Fucidan which is a sulfated polysaccharide and made up of primarily L-fucose
can be found from the various sources of brown seaweeds like Saccharina
japonica, Fucus vesiculosus, Undaria pinnatifida, and Hizikia fusiformis and also
from marine invertebrates such as sea cucumber. Experimental analysis shows that,
fucoidans can be widely used in cosmetic products. When it is used topically it
forms a protective layer, enhances skin hydration and also helps in prevention and
treatment of skin photo aging. (Zheng et al. 2013 and Charissoux et al. 2013).
Carrageenan is also an example of sulfated polysaccharides which is found in
Rhodophyta (red algae). It is composed of D-galactose units. Carrageenan is used in
cosmetic industries as skin lotions, toothpaste binders, shaving foams, etc. It also
exhibits antioxidant, antiaging, and anti-cancer properties (Li et al. 2008).
Also, laminaran is an example of marine polysaccharides that produces anticoagulant activity when structural modification like sulfatin, reduction, or oxidation
occurs (Kanekiyo et al. 2007; Heo et al. 2002; Je et al. 2014).
17.2.4.2 Oligosaccharides
They are another class of carbohydrates that contains 3–10 sugar units. Marine
oligosaccharides are produced either in algae by natural process or by hydrolysis of
derived polysaccharides.
Oligosaccharides derived from seaweed have been proven as a potent antifungal,
antibacterial precursor. They also show defence action by enhancing pathogens
protection. In addition marine algae also includes oligosaccharides that are used as
prebiotic as egxylo/func-oligosaccharides and non-digestible oligomers (cannot
pass through GIT) so they can be used to enhance the growth of beneficial probiotic
bacteria (Rodríguez-Meizoso et al. 2010; Le et al. 2009). Bifidobacteria is an
example of probiotics which live in intestines and stomach and helps in digestion
and also provide protection from pathogens. K-Carrageenan isolated from
Kappaphycus alvarezii is very much beneficial for the prevention of colon carcinogenesis and also exerts cholesterol-lowering, anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, antiviral and antioxidant properties. On the other hand, alginate
oligosaccharides exerts antioxidant activities along with inhibitory action on
neuro-inflammation and enhances the microglial phagocytosis, thus promises a
potent nutraceutical agent against neurodegenerative diseases e.g. Alzheimer’s
disease, Parkinson’s diseases etc. Marine oligosaccharides have also been used in
food products, cosmetics, biomedicine etc. (Zaporozhets et al. 2014).
17 Biological Activities of Marine Products …
595