Phenols, fucoxanthin, and fucoidan--oh my!: Active Components & Preparation

Seaweed's Active Components

Various studies have stated different active components, dependent on the ailment.  Brown seaweeds in particular have a medley of active components.  The most extensively studied thus far include: phlorotannins (phenols), fucoxanthin, and fucoidan.  

Ascophyllum nodosum has the highest phenol content, including pholorotannins/oligomers of “phloroglucinol”/1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene (Audibert et al, 2010).   They are proposed to be antioxidants used in cosmetics and nutraceuticals (Apstolidis & Lee, 2010; Yangthong, Hutadilok-Towatana & Phromkunthong, 2009).  

Phloroglucinol chemical structure.  (Source: Wikipedia.org)

Fucoxanthin, the xanthophyll which gives brown seaweed its colour, has also been extensively studied, especially with regards to obesity treatments (Jeon et al, 2010).

Fucoxanthin.  (Source: Wikipedia.org)

A popular component in current seaweed/drug research is fucoidan (aka: fucan, fucosan), which is a polysaccharide containing L-fucose and sulfate ester groups.  Its structure and its subsequent biological activity vary according to species of brown seaweed (Li, Lu, Wei & Zhao, 2008).  Fucoidan has been implicated in antioxidant, anticoagulant, antithrombitic, antiviral, immune system modulation, and lipid reduction activities (Pomin & Mourao, 2008; Wang et al, 2010; Li et al, 2006; Li et al, 2001).

Fucoidan.  (Source: glycomix.co.uk)

Typical Preparation of Seaweed

(Source: herbsgardenshealth.com)

Typical preparation of herbal treatments (extracts or otherwise) vary per species.  For adults, bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) may be soft capsules containing alcohol extracts (dose: 200-600mg/day).  Tablets are also used, while some preparations require “crude plant mixtures.” (NaturalStandard, 2009; NIH/NLM, 2010).