Optimization and Characterization of Fucoidan Extracted from the Brown Alga Polycladia myrica

Fucoidan, a sulfated heteropolysaccharide derived from brown algae, has several bioactivities, including anticancer, antioxidant, and antiviral effects. This study employed Polycladia myrica as a potential source for fucoidan extraction to optimize extraction conditions to maximize yield and enhance its potential applications. The yield of fucoidan was 19 ± 0.35%. Optimization of extraction parameters revealed that 70°C, an extraction time of 3.5 hours, pH 3, and an extraction ratio of 1:30 for algal powder to buffer) represented the ideal conditions, resulting in a sulfate content of 19.02 ±0.32%, a critical factor influencing fucoidan's biological activities. Chemical analysis and advanced techniques characterized the extracted fucoidan. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of sulphate and hydroxyl groups in fucoidan. The hydroxyl group at 3400 cm⁻¹ and the sulphate group at 1250 cm⁻¹, both essential for bioactivity, were identified. SEM analysis revealed a semi-crystalline surface characterized by irregular shapes, indicating structural complexity. The primary elements identified in the EDX study were oxygen and carbon. This comprehensive study indicates that P. myrica might serve as a viable source of fucoidan and underscores the need to optimize extraction conditions to enhance its biotechnological and therapeutic applications.