Soluble beta-1,3/1,6-glucan in seaweed from the southern hemisphere and its immunomodulatory effect

Abstract

Five types of macroalgae from the southern hemisphere were analysed for the presence of beta-1,3/1,6-glucan and its immunostimulant properties. We were able to extract soluble beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan from Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Harlot (DA). The morphology of the brown algae influenced extraction, and the highest percentage of beta-glucan was found in the fronds. The content of beta-glucan in the stipes and holdfast was on average 33% and <5%, respectively, of that in the fronds. A simple laboratory extraction process was developed. A highly pure water-soluble polysaccharide, mainly composed of glucose residues, was obtained with a dominant average molecular weight of 6.9 kDa. NMR spectroscopy confirmed the polysaccharide structure to be of beta-1,3/1,6-glucan type, comprising a beta-1,3-glucan backbone and 21% degree of branching of beta-1,6-glucan side chains. Mouse cells were exposed to four DA extract concentrations in water (50, 100, 250 and 500 mu g/mL) and no adverse effects on survival were noted. Remarkably, the beta-glucan induced a 16.9% increase in activated CD19+ B lymphocytes compared with the control sample. The optimal concentration for maximum activity was 100 mu g DA extract/mL. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Durvillaea antarctica (Chamisso) Hariot; Polysaccharide; Polymer structure; beta-1,3/1,6-Glucan; Immunological action

Published in

Carbohydrate Polymers
2013, Volume: 92, number: 1, pages: 241-248 Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Andersson, Roger

  • Department of Molecular Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Fish and Aquacultural Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.09.071

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/56200