Antioxidant Activity of Sulfated Polysaccharides Isolated from Sargassum fulvellum

Sargassum fulvellum, a marine brown alga, is a popular low priced edible plant in Korean markets. The polysaccharide fraction of the alga was separated and investigated for its radical scavenging activities and the results compared with those of commercial fucoidans (Fucus vesiculosus and Undaria pinnatifida), BHA and α-tocopherol. The polysaccharide fraction of S. fulvellum showed a promising DPPH radical scavenging activity than did other fucoidans. Moreover, the sample exhibited a dose-dependent activity on hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity in the V79-4 cell line. Interestingly, all the tested polysaccharide counterparts were more potent NO. scavengers than were the commercial antioxidants, BHA and α-tocopherol. The sulfated polysaccharide of S. fulvellum had an approximate molecular weight of 529 kDa and mainly consisted of fucose and galactose, and minor amounts of mannose, rhamnose and xylose.