Structural Characterization and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of an Alginate Extracted from the Brown Seaweed <i>Ericaria amentacea</i>
2026
Maha Moussa | Serena Mirata | Lisa Moni | Valentina Asnaghi | Marina Alloisio | Simone Pettineo | Maila Castellano | Silvia Vicini | Mariachiara Chiantore | Sonia Scarfì
Brown algae of the Cystoseira genus are recognized as valuable sources of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides. Within the framework of current restoration efforts regarding damaged <i>Ericaria amentacea</i> populations in the Mediterranean Sea, the valorization of apices derived from ex situ cultivation waste represents a sustainable opportunity for industrial and biomedical applications. In this study, sodium alginate (SA) was extracted from <i>E. amentacea</i> apex by-products using a hydrothermal–alkaline method and subsequently chemically characterized. FTIR analysis showed O-H, C-H, and COO- stretching compatible with commercial alginates, while 1H-NMR spectroscopy indicated high β-D-mannuronic acid content, with an M/G ratio of 2.33. The extracted SA displayed a molecular weight of 1 × 10<sup>4</sup> g/mol and a polydispersity index of 3.5. The bioactive properties of the SA extract were investigated in chemico and in vitro. SA exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity, showing significant DPPH and nitric oxide-radical-scavenging capacity. Furthermore, SA demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory effect in LPS-stimulated macrophages through modulation of several inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-6, IL-8/CXCL5, MCP-1, and TNF-α). In particular, SA promoted a striking iNOS gene expression inhibition, which, paired with its direct NO-scavenging ability, paves the way for future pharmacological use of <i>E. amentacea</i> derivatives, particularly if sustainably obtained from restoration activity waste.
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