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Red seaweed carrageenans are frequently used in industry for its texturizing properties and have demonstrated antiviral activities that can be used in human medicine. However, their high viscosity, high molecular weight, and low skin penetration limit their use. Low-weight carrageenans have a reduced viscosity and molecular weight, enhancing their biological properties. In this study, ι-carrageenan from Solieria chordalis, extracted using hot water and dialyzed, was depolymerized using hydrogen peroxide and ultrasound. Ultrasonic depolymerization yielded fractions of average molecular weight (50 kDa) that were rich in sulfate groups (16% and 33%) compared to those from the hydrogen peroxide treatment (7 kDa, 6% and 9%). The potential bioactivity of the polysaccharides and low-molecular-weight (LMW) fractions were assessed using WST-1 and LDH assays for human fibroblast viability, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. The depolymerized fractions did not affect cell proliferation and were not cytotoxic. This research highlights the diversity in the biochemical composition and lack of cytotoxicity of Solieria chordalis polysaccharides and LMW fractions produced by a green (ultrasound) depolymerization method.
Lesgourgues et al. (Tue,) studied this question.