ABSTRACT
Enzyme-assisted hydrolysis is frequendy used as a cost-effective and efficient method to obtain functional ingredients from bioresources. This study involved die enzyme-assisted hydrolyzation and purification of fucoidan from Ecklonia maxima stipe and die investigation of its anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Fucoidans of Viscozyme-assisted hydrolysate from E. maxima (EMSFs) harvested in Jeju, Korea. Structural and chemical characterizations were performed using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and monosaccharide analysis. Among fucoidans, EMSF6 was rich in fucose and sulfate and had a similar structural character to commercial fucoidan. EMSF6 showed a strong inhibitory effect on nitric oxide generation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and significantly decreased die production of LPS-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-6, interleukin-1 p, and tumor necrosis factor a. The anti-inflammatory potential of EMSF6 was mediated through the down-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Thus, fucoidans from&temppound;. maxima stipe are promising candidates for functional food products.