Abstract: In this study, the chemical compositions, structures, immunomodulatory and hypoglycemic activities of fucoidans from Sargassum zhangii (SZ-Fuc) and Sargassum hemiphylla (SH-Fuc) were analyzed and compared. The results showed that the sulfate group content and molecular mass of SZ-Fuc were (29.74 ± 0.01)% and 111.28 kDa, respectively, and SZ-Fuc had a relatively loose surface structure. The main chain of SZ-Fuc was composed of (→1) linked fucose, xylose, glucose, mannose and galactose, (1→3)- and (1→4)- linked xylose, (1→2)-linked mannose, (1→3)-, (1→4)- and (1→6)-linked galactose, and (1→4)- and (1→6)-linked glucose. Meanwhile, the sulfate group content and molecular mass of SH-Fuc were (44.11 ± 0.01)% and 1 166.48 kDa, respectively, SH-Fuc had a compact surface structure, and its main chain contained (→1), (1→3)- and (1→4)-linked fucose, (→1), (1→4)- and (1→6)-linked glucose, (→1) and (1→2)-linked mannose, and (1→4)-linked galactose. Besides, both SZ-Fuc and SH-Fuc had branched structures. They significantly increased NO release from RAW264.7 cells and improved the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), indicating good immunomodulatory activity. The immunomodulatory activity of SZ-Fuc was better than that of SH-Fuc, while the inhibitory effect of SH-Fuc on α-glucosidase was better than that of SZ-Fuc, suggesting that SH-Fuc had better hypoglycemic potential. This study can provide a theoretical basis for polysaccharides from S. zhangii and S. hemiphylla in the development of functional and nutritional foods with immunomodulatory and blood glucose-reducing activity.

Key words: Sargassum, fucoidan, physicochemical properties, structural characterization, immunomodulatory, hypoglycemic