Extraction, structural characterization, and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from three microalgae

Yang Zhao; Chun Han; Yangyingdong Wu; Qianchen Sun; Meng Ma; Zhen Xie; Rong Sun; Haiyan Pei

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172567

Extraction, structural characterization, and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from three microalgae

Sci Total Environ. 2024 Apr 20:931:172567. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172567. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Yang Zhao¹, Chun Han¹, Yangyingdong Wu¹, Qianchen Sun¹, Meng Ma², Zhen Xie², Rong Sun¹, Haiyan Pei³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.
² School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China.
³ Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China; Shandong Provincial Engineering Center on Environmental Science and Technology, Jinan 250061, China; Institute of Eco-Chongming (IEC), Shanghai 202162, China. Electronic address: haiyan_phyto@fudan.edu.cn.

PMID: 38643871
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172567

Abstract

Microalgal polysaccharides have received much attention due to their potential value in preventing and regulating oxidative damage. This study aims to reveal the mechanisms of regulating oxidative stress and the differences in the yield, structure, and effect of polysaccharides extracted from three microalgae: Golenkinia sp. polysaccharides (GPS), Chlorella sorokiniana polysaccharides (CPS), and Spirulina subsalsa polysaccharides (SPS). Using the same extraction method, GPS, CPS, and SPS were all heteropoly- saccharides composed of small molecular fraction: the monosaccharides mainly comprised galactose (Gal). Among the three, SPS had a higher proportion of small molecular fraction, and a higher proportion of Gal; thus it had the highest yield and antioxidant activity. GPS, CPS, and SPS all showed strong antioxidant activity in vitro, and showed strong ability to regulate oxidative stress, among which SPS was slightly higher. From the analysis of gene expression, the Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway was an important pathway for GPS, CPS, and SPS to regulate cellular oxidative stress. This study provides a theoretical foundation for further research on the utilization of microalgae polysaccharides and product development.

Keywords: Antioxidant activity; Microalgae; Nrf2-ARE signalling pathway; Polysaccharides; Structure.