Difference Between Fucoidan and Fucoxanthin

The key difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin is that fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide present in different species of brown algae and brown seaweed while fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll present as an accessory pigment in the chloroplasts of brown algae and other heterokonts.

Marine ecosystems constitute of both flora and fauna. They have a high diversity of species. Moreover, these species contain different compounds that are beneficial for humans. The biomolecules extracted from these species in marine ecosystems contain different therapeutic potentials. Fucoidan and fucoxanthin are two such compounds present in marine ecosystems, mainly in brown algae. Even though they differ chemically, both compounds are currently used for different research purposes of identifying their potential as therapeutics.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Fucoidan
3. What is Fucoxanthin
4. Similarities Between Fucoidan and Fucoxanthin
5. Side by Side Comparison – Fucoidan vs Fucoxanthin in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is Fucoidan?

Fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide (FCSP) present in different species of brown algae and brown seaweed. Mozuku, wakame, bladderwrack, etc. are some seaweeds that contain fucoidan. Fucoidan is also present in marine organisms such as sea cucumber. Moreover, Fucoidan/FCSP contains potentially beneficial bioactive compounds for humans.

Depending on the species of brown algae and the source of the seaweed, the bioactive properties of fucoidan vary. Apart from the type of species and the source, properties such as compositional and structural traits, charge density, distribution, and bonding of the sulfate substitutions, and the purity of the FCSP product also affect the bioactive composition of fucoidan.

Some dietary supplements contain fucoidan as an ingredient. Also, in the field of research, this compound is currently tested for potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-hyperglycemic effects.

What is Fucoxanthin?

Fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll present as an accessory pigment in the chloroplasts of brown algae and other heterokonts. Fucoxanthin provides the characteristic brown color to these species. Xanthophylls are a subset of carotenoids. Carotenoids are present in plants and algae to harvest sunlight during the process of photosynthesis. Hence, xanthophyll absorbs light in the blue-green to yellow-green part of the visible spectrum with a peak range of 510-525nm. Fucoxanthin contributes more than 10% of the total production of carotenoids in nature.

Fucoxanthin is used in different applications as a potential therapeutic. In the context of cancer research, fucoxanthin has shown unique characteristic to induce G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in various cancer cell lines and tumor growth in animal models. It is also used as a weight reducing agent. Other functions of fucoxanthin include improvement of blood lipid profiles and decrease of insulin resistance in animal models for obesity.

What are the Similarities Between Fucoidan and Fucoxanthin?

• Fucoidan and fucoxanthin are present in brown algae.
• Also, both compounds contain potential bioactive molecules beneficial for humans.
• Moreover, scientists use them as potential cancer therapeutics in research.

What is the Difference Between Fucoidan and Fucoxanthin?

Fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide (FCSP) present in different species of brown algae and brown seaweed while fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll present as an accessory pigment in the chloroplasts of brown algae and other heterokonts. So, this is the key difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin. Chemically, fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide while fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll, which is a subset of carotenoids. Hence, this is a chemical difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin. Fucoidan is found in brown seaweed, brown algae and marine organisms such as sea cucumber while fucoxanthin is found in brown algae, heterokonts, and diatoms.

Furthermore, a difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin based on usage is that the fucoidan is useful as an ingredient in dietary supplements while fucoxanthin is useful as a weight reducing agent and helps in improving blood lipid profiles. Moreover, fucoidan is used as potential research therapeutics in the avenues of anticancer, anti-glycemic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory while fucoxanthin is used as an inducer to induce G1 cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis in various cancer cell lines and tumor growth in animal models. Thus, this is another important difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin.

Below infographic summarizes the difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin.

Summary – Fucoidan vs Fucoxanthin

Marine ecosystems are rich sources for different compounds that are beneficial for humans. Fucoidan and fucoxanthin are two such compounds mainly present in brown algae. Chemical nature is the key difference between these two compounds. Fucoidan is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide whilst fucoxanthin is a carotenoid-based xanthophyll. However, both these compounds are currently subjected to extensive research to check their potential as therapeutics. Thus, this is a summary of the difference between fucoidan and fucoxanthin.

Reference:

1. Kim, Se-Kwon, and RatihPangestuti. “Biological Activities and Potential Health Benefits of Fucoxanthin Derived from Marine Brown Algae.” Marine Medicinal Foods – Implications and Applications, Macro and Microalgae Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 2011, pp. 111–128., doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-387669-0.00009-0.
2. Nichols, Roger, et al. “Fucoidan Vs Fucoxanthin Vs Forskolin: Weight Loss and Health Benefits.” Supplements ScoreCard, 15 Nov. 2016, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Fucoidan” By Klau3434 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Fucoxanthin” By Yikrazuul – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia