What is Fucoidan?
Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide (MW: average 200,000 Daltons), fucose-rich polymer found mainly in various species of brown seaweeds such as Mozuku, Wakame, Kombu, Hijiki and Bladderwrack. It was identified in the first half of the last century by Professor Johann Harald Kylin of Uppsala University in Sweden in 1913.
Fucoidan is a type of soluble dietary fiber. Chemically, Fucoidan is a polysaccharide containing substantial percentages of L-fucose , sulfate ester groups , galactose, mannose, xylose and uronic acid. Therefore, Fucoidan has a unique molecular structure, which makes it a unique and effective natural health ingredient. The yield of a crude first fraction of Fucoidan is generally 2–10% by weight, although Cladosiphon(Mozuku) species may yield over 20% by dry weight.
The intensity of biological activities of Fucoidan varies with species, molecular weight, composition, structure and the route of administration. Please make sure you consume the proper Fucoidan extract because each one of them has different applications and health benefits.
Different Types of Fucoidan
Fucoidan is a polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds that is composed of several monosaccharides including fucose, xylose, galactose, sulfate ester groups and uronic acid. In more detail, depending on the type of brown seaweed, each Fucoidan has its own unique chemical structure. Due to the differences between each Fucoidan’s chemical structure, the function or effectiveness will vary depending on which brown seaweed it is extracted from.
According to many researches, Fucoidan extracted from Mozuku and Mekabu is reported to support boosting immune system; Fucoidan extracted from Fucus is recognized for its excellent immune enhancement properties and antioxidative properties. Therefore, in general, a product containing a mixture of various types of Fucoidan will show more positive effects.
Mozuku (Cladosiphon okamuranus)
The Fucoidan extracted from Okinawa Mozuku is the most popular type of fucoidan. 1 kg of Mozuku is required in order to obtain 1 gram of fucoidan.
Mekabu (Undaria pinnatifida)
Mekabu is the ruffled, flowering sprout located at the base of the Wakame. One of the uniqueness of Mekabu Fucoidan is that it contains more than 34% of sulfated groups.
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
Fucus Fucoidan has a long-history. The Fucoidan is extracted from Bladderwrack which is a seaweed found on the coasts of the North Sea, the western Baltic Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Fucus is named after Fucus vesiculosus contained in Bladderwrack.
Kombu (Laminaria japonica)
Kombu was the first species used to extract Fucoidan. However, it contains a relatively small amount of fucoidan and it is very expensive to obtain, therefore, not economical to mass-produce this raw material.
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