Extraction, structural characterization, and thermal and biomedical properties of sulfated polysaccharides from razor clam Solen marginatus

Abstract

In this study, the antioxidant, antibacterial and anticoagulant activities of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from Solen marginatus flesh were investigated via physicochemical characterization of the crude polysaccharide SM-CP and its deproteinized fraction (SM-DP); their total sugar contents were 47.15% and 66.01%. The results obtained via molecular weight evaluation showed that SM-CP mainly had a high molecular weight (1075 kDa), whereas SM-DP had a lower molecular weight (almost 237.9 kDa); in addition, thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry) was conducted; the results indicated that SM-CP was thermally more stable as its degradation temperature was 307 °C, whereas SM-DP was thermally less stable, with the degradation temperature of 288 °C. Moreover, the results obtained via the investigation of biological properties revealed that the extracted polysaccharides exhibited strong antioxidant and anticoagulant activities. Subsequently, SM-CP was fractionated using the DEAE-cellulose column. The peak (FII) eluted at high NaCl concentrations indicated highest anticoagulant activity as designated by the prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time (over 120 s), prothrombin time (28 s) and low level of fibrinogen (0.7 g l⁻¹). The overall data demonstrated the significant therapeutic potential of the polysaccharides extracted from razor clam flesh.