FUCOIDAN, THE POLYSACCHARIDE FROM THE BROWN ALGAE, A POTENT BIOACTIVE PRODUCT USED IN MEDICINE AND MARINE CULTIVATION

Abstract

Fucoidan (fucan sulfate) is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide from many speeci of brown algae (Phaeophyceae). These sulfated fucans and fucoidans have many pote biological activities. These fucans shown to contain a poly-a-(I 3)-fucopyranoside backbol with a high degree of branching, mainly of a-(I 2)-linked single units. Some fucopyrano residues are sulfated at 0-4 (mainly) and 0-2 positions. The Fucoidan showed various biological activities like anticoagulant, antioxyda, especially, anticancer, antivirus.

This fucoidan also showed potent antiviral activities against white spot syndrome vir (WSSV), that causes infection in shrimp Penaeus monodon, kuruma shrimp Penaeus japonicu, Thus, it is necessary to produce the fucoidan for use. Nowaday in our laboratory we car out the isolation the Fucoidan from several speecies of brown algae of order laminarialef cia phaeophyceae