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Nutrients Sep 2021Carrageenan (CGN) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, composed of D-galactose residues linked in β-1,4 and α-1,3 galactose-galactose... (Review)
Review
Carrageenan (CGN) is a high molecular weight polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, composed of D-galactose residues linked in β-1,4 and α-1,3 galactose-galactose bond, widely used as a food additive in processed foods for its properties as a thickener, gelling agent, emulsifier, and stabilizer. In recent years, with the spread of the Western diet (WD), its consumption has increased. Nonetheless, there is a debate on its safety. CGN is extensively used as an inflammatory and adjuvant agent in vitro and in animal experimental models for the investigation of immune processes or to assess the activity of anti-inflammatory drugs. CGN can activate the innate immune pathways of inflammation, alter the gut microbiota composition and the thickness of the mucus barrier. Clinical evidence suggests that CGN is involved in the pathogenesis and clinical management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), indeed food-exclusion diets can be an effective therapy for disease remission. Moreover, specific IgE to the oligosaccharide α-Gal has been associated with allergic reactions commonly referred to as the "α-Gal syndrome". This review aims to discuss the role of carrageenan in inflammatory bowel diseases and allergic reactions following the current evidence. Furthermore, as no definitive data are available on the safety and the effects of CGN, we suggest gaps to be filled and advise to limit the human exposure to CGN by reducing the consumption of ultra-processed foods.
Topics: Animals; Carrageenan; Diet; Food Additives; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Inflammation; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases
PubMed: 34684400
DOI: 10.3390/nu13103402 -
Journal of Genetics and Genomics = Yi... Sep 2021Carrageenans (CGNs) are widely used in foods and pharmaceuticals although their safety remains controversial. To investigate the effects of CGNs and CGN-degrading...
Carrageenans (CGNs) are widely used in foods and pharmaceuticals although their safety remains controversial. To investigate the effects of CGNs and CGN-degrading bacteria in the human colon, we screened for CGN degradation by human fecal microbiota, and for inflammatory response to CGNs and/or CGN-degrading bacteria in germ free mice. Thin-layer chromatography indicated that high molecular weight (MW) CGNs (≥100 kDa) remained undegraded in the presence of human fecal microbiota, whereas low MW CGNs, i.e., κ-carrageenan oligosaccharides (KCO, ~4.5 kDa) were degraded when exposed to seven of eight human fecal samples, although sulfate groups were not removed during degradation. Bacteroides xylanisolvens and Escherichia coli isolates from fecal samples apparently degraded KCO synergistically, with B. xylanisolvens serving as the primary degrader. Combined treatment of KCO with KCO-degrading bacteria led to greater pro-inflammatory effects in the colon and rectum of germ-free mice than either KCO or bacteria alone. Similarly, p-p38-, CD3-, and CD79a-positive immune cells were more abundant in combined treatment group mice than in either single treatment group. Our study shows that KCO-degrading bacteria and the low MW products of KCO can promote proinflammatory effects in mice, and represent two key markers for evaluating CGN safety in foods or medicines.
Topics: Carrageenan
PubMed: 34400364
DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2021.08.001 -
Journal of Dairy Science Sep 2019Frozen yogurt is a type of dairy product that is considered to be a more healthful alternative to conventional ice cream due to its lower fat content and the presence of...
Frozen yogurt is a type of dairy product that is considered to be a more healthful alternative to conventional ice cream due to its lower fat content and the presence of viable lactic acid bacteria. Lactose-free products are a growing trend in the dairy industry, and lactose-free yogurts and ice creams can both be found on the market. However, lactose-free frozen yogurt has not yet reached the market. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of adding κ-carrageenan (0.05, 0.1, and 0.15%) and corn starch (1, 2, and 3%) on acidity, texture, viscosity, overrun, melting properties, color attributes, and sensory characteristics of lactose-free frozen yogurts. Lactose was reduced by enzymatic hydrolysis during the fermentation process. The effectiveness of the hydrolysis was measured by HPLC, and lactose was reduced to 0.05% after 80 min of incubation with the enzyme. The addition of stabilizers did not change overrun and melting properties of frozen yogurt, but it did affect pH, titratable acidity, and color parameters. The product with 0.15% κ-carrageenan had the highest hardness and stickiness values. Moreover, κ-carrageenan had a positive effect on sensory attractiveness of lactose-free frozen yogurt, and it reduced the coarse texture in comparison with the control without stabilizers. A lactose-free frozen yogurt with good quality and nutritional characteristics was produced, particularly with the use of κ-carrageenan as stabilizer.
Topics: Carrageenan; Excipients; Fermentation; Frozen Foods; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydrolysis; Lactobacillus delbrueckii; Lactose; Rheology; Starch; Streptococcus thermophilus; Viscosity; Yogurt; Zea mays
PubMed: 31255280
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-16556 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021The natural gums used as high molecular weight oleogelators are mainly polysaccharides that deliver a broad spectrum of possible utilization methods when structuring... (Review)
Review
The natural gums used as high molecular weight oleogelators are mainly polysaccharides that deliver a broad spectrum of possible utilization methods when structuring liquid fats to solid forms. The review discusses a natural gums' structuring and gelling behavior to capture the oil droplets and form the water/oil gelling emulsions basing on their structural conformation, internal charge, and polymeric characteristics. The specific parameters and characteristics of natural gums based oleogels are also discussed. In the future, oleogels may eliminate saturated and trans fats from food products and allow the production of low-fat products, thus reducing the environmental damage caused by the excessive use of palm oil. The increasing knowledge of molecular interaction in polysaccharide chains of natural gums allows to apply more sustainable and wiser strategies towards product formulation. Innovative solutions for using oleogels based on natural polysaccharide biopolymers let incorporate them into the food matrix and replace fats completely or create blends containing the source of fats and the addition of the oleogel. The profound insight into molecular characteristics of natural gums in the function of being oleogelators is presented.
Topics: Alginates; Carrageenan; Colloids; Emulsions; Fatty Acids; Food; Food Analysis; Organic Chemicals; Plant Gums; Polysaccharides; Polysaccharides, Bacterial
PubMed: 34884775
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312977 -
International Journal of Molecular... Aug 2022The following review is focused on carrageenan, a heteroglycan-based substance that is a very significant wound healing biomaterial. Every biomaterial has advantages and... (Review)
Review
The following review is focused on carrageenan, a heteroglycan-based substance that is a very significant wound healing biomaterial. Every biomaterial has advantages and weaknesses of its own, but these drawbacks are typically outweighed by combining the material in various ways with other substances. Carrageenans' key benefits include their water solubility, which enables them to keep the wound and periwound damp and absorb the wound exudate. They have low cytotoxicity, antimicrobial and antioxidant qualities, do not stick to the wound bed, and hence do not cause pain when removed from the wounded region. When combined with other materials, they can aid in hemostasis. This review emphasizes the advantages of using carrageenan for wound healing, including the use of several mixes that improve its properties.
Topics: Anti-Infective Agents; Antioxidants; Biocompatible Materials; Carrageenan; Wound Healing
PubMed: 36012381
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169117 -
Marine Drugs Jun 2023Seaweeds are abundant sources of diverse bioactive compounds with various properties and mechanisms of action. These compounds offer protective effects, high nutritional... (Review)
Review
Seaweeds are abundant sources of diverse bioactive compounds with various properties and mechanisms of action. These compounds offer protective effects, high nutritional value, and numerous health benefits. Seaweeds are versatile natural sources of metabolites applicable in the production of healthy food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and fertilizers. Their biological compounds make them promising sources for biotechnological applications. In nature, hydrocolloids are substances which form a gel in the presence of water. They are employed as gelling agents in food, coatings and dressings in pharmaceuticals, stabilizers in biotechnology, and ingredients in cosmetics. Seaweed hydrocolloids are identified in carrageenan, alginate, and agar. Carrageenan has gained significant attention in pharmaceutical formulations and exhibits diverse pharmaceutical properties. Incorporating carrageenan and natural polymers such as chitosan, starch, cellulose, chitin, and alginate. It holds promise for creating biodegradable materials with biomedical applications. Alginate, a natural polysaccharide, is highly valued for wound dressings due to its unique characteristics, including low toxicity, biodegradability, hydrogel formation, prevention of bacterial infections, and maintenance of a moist environment. Agar is widely used in the biomedical field. This review focuses on analysing the therapeutic applications of carrageenan, alginate, and agar based on research highlighting their potential in developing innovative drug delivery systems using seaweed phycocolloids.
Topics: Carrageenan; Pharmaceutical Preparations; Agar; Polysaccharides; Seaweed; Alginates; Colloids; Cosmetics
PubMed: 37504914
DOI: 10.3390/md21070384 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2019Seaweeds are some of the largest producers of biomass in the marine environment and are rich in bioactive compounds that are often used for human and animal health.... (Review)
Review
Seaweeds are some of the largest producers of biomass in the marine environment and are rich in bioactive compounds that are often used for human and animal health. Porphyran and carrageenan are natural compounds derived from red seaweeds. The former is a characteristic polysaccharide of , while the latter is well known from , , and various species, all in Rhodophyceae. The two polysaccharides have been found to have anti-cancer activity by improving immunity and targeting key apoptotic molecules and therefore deemed as potential chemotherapeutic or chemopreventive agents. This review attempts to review the current study of anti-cancer activity and the possible mechanisms of porphyran and carrageenan derived from red seaweeds to various cancers, and their cooperative actions with other anti-cancer chemotherapeutic agents is also discussed.
Topics: Carrageenan; Humans; Immunity; Neoplasms; Polysaccharides; Seaweed; Sepharose
PubMed: 31775255
DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234286 -
Marine Drugs Jul 2021Carrageenan and carrageenan oligosaccharides are red seaweed sulfated carbohydrates with well-known antiviral properties, mainly through the blocking of the viral... (Review)
Review
Carrageenan and carrageenan oligosaccharides are red seaweed sulfated carbohydrates with well-known antiviral properties, mainly through the blocking of the viral attachment stage. They also exhibit other interesting biological properties and can be used to prepare different drug delivery systems for controlled administration. The most active forms are λ-, ι-, and κ-carrageenans, the degree and sulfation position being determined in their properties. They can be obtained from sustainable worldwide available resources and the influence of manufacturing on composition, structure, and antiviral properties should be considered. This review presents a survey of the antiviral properties of carrageenan in relation to the processing conditions, particularly those assisted by intensification technologies during the extraction stage, and discusses the possibility of further chemical modifications.
Topics: Antiviral Agents; Aquatic Organisms; Carrageenan; Humans; Phytotherapy; Seaweed
PubMed: 34436276
DOI: 10.3390/md19080437 -
Marine Drugs Nov 2020Marine resources are today a renewable source of various compounds, such as polysaccharides, that are used in the pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and food fields. In... (Review)
Review
Marine resources are today a renewable source of various compounds, such as polysaccharides, that are used in the pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, and food fields. In recent years, considerable attention has been focused on carrageenan-based biomaterials due to their multifunctional qualities, including biodegradability, biocompatibility, and non-toxicity, in addition to bioactive attributes, such as their antiviral, antibacterial, antihyperlipidemic, anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulating properties. They have been applied in pharmaceutical formulations as both their bioactive and physicochemical properties make them suitable biomaterials for drug delivery, and recently for the development of tissue engineering. This article provides a review of recent research on the various types of carrageenan-based biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Antioxidants; Carrageenan; Drug Carriers; Drug Compounding; Hematologic Agents; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Immunologic Factors; Molecular Structure; Structure-Activity Relationship
PubMed: 33238488
DOI: 10.3390/md18110583 -
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Sep 2020Red Seaweed "Rhodophyta" are an important group of macroalgae that include approximately 7000 species. They are a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive... (Review)
Review
Red Seaweed "Rhodophyta" are an important group of macroalgae that include approximately 7000 species. They are a rich source of structurally diverse bioactive constituents, including protein, sulfated polysaccharides, pigments, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and phenolic compounds with nutritional, medical, and industrial importance. Polysaccharides are the main components in the cell wall of red algae and represent about 40-50% of the dry weight, which are extensively utilized in industry and pharmaceutical compounds, due to their thickening and gelling properties. The hydrocolloids galactans carrageenans and agars are the main red seaweed cell wall polysaccharides, which had broad-spectrum therapeutic characters. Generally, the chemical contents of seaweed are different according to the algal species, growth stage, environment, and external conditions, e.g., the temperature of the water, light intensity, nutrient concentrations in the ecosystem. Economically, they can be recommended as a substitute source for natural ingredients that contribute to a broad range of bioactivities like cancer therapy, anti-inflammatory agents, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory. This review touches on the main points of the pharmaceutical applications of red seaweed, as well as the exploitation of their specific compounds and secondary metabolites with vital roles.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Antineoplastic Agents; Carrageenan; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Galactans; Humans; Rhodophyta; Seaweed
PubMed: 32992919
DOI: 10.3390/molecules25194411