Structural characterisation of algae Costaria costata fucoidan and its effects on CCl₄-induced liver injury.

Fucoidan is a well-known natural product that is commonly found in brown algae and shows a variety of activities, including immunomodulation, antioxidation, and the combat of carcinogens. The fucoidan fractions of Costaria costata, a brown algae introduced from Japan and cultured in northern China, were studied. The fucoidan fractions were extracted, separated, and purified using a combinatorial procedure consisting of enzymolysis, ethanol precipitation, and DEAE and size-exclusion chromatographies. The fundamental characteristics of the four enriched fucoidan fractions (F1-F4), such as their sulphate content and monosaccharide composition, were investigated. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy were employed to further elucidate the structural features of the four fractions. It was found that the F1-F4 fractions all showed oxidative activity against hydroxyl radicals. The bioactive effects of the fucoidan fractions on CCl4-induced liver injury suggest their potential use as ingredients for functional foods or pharmaceuticals.