Potential antioxidant and anticoagulant capacity of low molecular weight fucoidan fractions extracted from Laminaria japonica

A low molecular weight fucoidan (DFPS), obtained from the brown seaweed Laminaria japonica, was separated into three fractions by anion-exchange column chromatography. All three fractions (DF1, DF2, DF3) predominantly contained variety fucose, galactose and sulfate group. The antioxidant and anticoagulant activities of these fractions were investigated. The results showed that all fractions possessed considerable antioxidant activities, DF1 was most active. All samples inhibited coagulant in APTT, TT and PT assays obviously. Available data presented the content of sulfate group, the molar ratio of sulfate/fucose and sulfate/total sugar, and the molecular weight played an important role on antioxidant and anticoagulant activity. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.