Microwave-Assisted Extraction, Purification, Partial Characterization, and Bioactivity of Polysaccharides from Panax ginseng.

Polysaccharides are a main active substance in Panax ginseng; however, microwave-assisted extraction used to prepare P. ginseng polysaccharides (MPPG) has rarely been reported, and knowledge of the bactericidal activity of P. ginseng polysaccharides remains low. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the extraction of P. ginseng polysaccharides by using two methods-hot water extraction and microwave-assisted extraction-and compare their chemical composition and structure. In addition, their antibacterial and antioxidant activities were also determined. The data implied that P. ginseng polysaccharides extracted by microwave-assisted extraction possessed a higher extraction yield than hot water extraction (WPPG) under optimized conditions, and the actual yields were 41.6% ± 0.09% and 28.5% ± 1.62%, respectively. Moreover, the preliminary characterization of polysaccharides was identified after purification. The WPPG with the molecular weight (Mw) of 2.07 × 105 Da was composed of Man, Rib, Rha, GalA, Glu, Gal, and Arab, and the typical characteristics of polysaccharides were determined by IR spectra. Compared with WPPG, MPPG had a higher Mw, uronic acid content, and Glu content. More importantly, the antioxidant activity of MPPG was higher than WPPG, which was probably ascribed to its highly Mw and abundant uronic acid content. Besides, both of them exhibited high bactericidal activity. These results demonstrate that microwave-assisted extraction is an effective method for obtaining P. ginseng polysaccharides, and MPPG could be applied as an antioxidant and antibacterial agent.

Unexpected features of exponentially growing Tobacco Bright Yellow-2 cell suspension culture in relation to excreted extracellular polysaccharides and cell wall composition.

This article presents a new insight about TBY-2 cells; from extracellular polysaccharides secretion to cell wall composition during cell suspension culture. In the medium of cells taken 2 days after dilution (end of lag phase), a two unit pH decrease from 5.38 to 3.45 was observed and linked to a high uronic acid (UA) amount secretion (47.8%) while, in 4 and 7 day-old spent media, pH increased and UA amounts decreased 35.6 and 42.3% UA, respectively. To attain deeper knowledge of the putative link between extracellular polysaccharide excretion and cell wall composition, we determined cell wall UA and neutral sugar composition of cells from D2 to D12 cultures. While cell walls from D2 and D3 cells contained a large amount of uronic acid (twice as much as the other analysed cell walls), similar amounts of neutral sugar were detected in cells from lag to end of exponential phase cells suggesting an enriched pectin network in young cultures. Indeed, monosaccharide composition analysis leads to an estimated percentage of pectins of 56% for D3 cell wall against 45% D7 cell walls indicating that the cells at the mid-exponential growth phase re-organized their cell wall linked to a decrease in secreted UA that finally led to a stabilization of the spent medium pH to 5.4. In conclusion, TBY-2 cell suspension from lag to stationary phase showed cell wall remodeling that could be of interest in drug interaction and internalization study.

Cell wall glycopolymers of Streptomyces albus, Streptomyces albidoflavus and Streptomyces pathocidini.

The cell wall glycopolymers of three strains of Streptomyces albus and the type strain of Streptomyces pathocidini were investigated. The structures of the glycopolymers were established using a combination of chemical and NMR spectroscopic methods. The cell wall of S. albus subsp. albus VKM Ac-35(T) was found to be comprised of three glycopolymers, viz. unsubstituted 1,5-poly(ribitol phosphate), 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) substituted with ß-D-glucopyranose, and the major polymer, a 3-deoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulosonic acid (Kdn)-teichulosonic acid: ß-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ 8)-α-Kdnp-(2[(→6)-ß-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ 8)-α-Kdnp-(2 â†’] n 6)-ß-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ 8)-ß-Kdnp-(2-OH, where n ≥ 3. The cell walls of 'S. albus' J1074 and 'S. albus' R1-100 were found to contain three glycopolymers of identical structures, viz. unsubstituted 1,3- and 2,3-poly(glycerol phosphates), and the major polymer, a Kdn-teichulosonic acid with an unusual structure that has not been previously described: ß-D-Galp-(1 â†’ 9)-α-Kdnp-(2[(→3)-ß-D-Galp-(1 â†’ 9)-α-Kdnp-(2 â†’] n 3)-ß-D-Galp-(1 â†’ 9)-ß-Kdnp-(2-OH, where n ~ 7-8. The cell wall of S. pathocidini (formerly S. albus subsp. pathocidicus) VKM Ac-598(T) was found to contain two glycopolymers, viz. 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) partially O-glycosylated with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-glucopyranose and/or O-acylated with L-lysine, and a poly(diglycosyl 1-phosphate) of hitherto unknown structure: -6)-α-D-Glcp-(1 â†’ 6)-α-D-GlcpNAc-(1-P-.

Characterization and immunomodulatory activities of polysaccharides from Spirogyra neglecta (Hassall) Kützing.

Sulfated polysaccharides (SP) isolated from freshwater green algae, Spirogyra neglecta (Hassall) Kützing, and fractionated SPs were examined to investigate their molecular characteristics and immunomodulatory activity. The crude and fractionated SPs (F1, F2, and F3) consisted mostly of carbohydrates (68.5-85.3%), uronic acids (3.2-4.9%), and sulfates (2.2-12.2%) with various amounts of proteins (2.6-17.1%). D-galactose (23.5-27.3%), D-glucose (11.5-24.8%), L-fucose (19.0-26.7%), and L-rhamnose (16.4-18.3%) were the major monosaccharide units of these SPs with different levels of L-arabinose (3.0-9.4%), D-xylose (4.6-9.8%), and D-mannose (0.4-2.3%). The SPs contained two sub-fractions with molecular weights (Mw) ranging from 164 × 10(3) to 1460 × 10(3) g/mol. The crude and fractionated SPs strongly stimulated murine macrophages, producing considerable amounts of nitric oxide and various cytokines via up-regulation of their mRNA expression by activation of nuclear factor-kappa B and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways. The main backbone of the most immunoenhancing SP was (1→3)-L-Fucopyranoside, (1→4,6)-D-Glucopyranoside, and (1→4)-D-Galactopyranoside.

Comparison of physicochemical properties and immunomodulatory activity of polysaccharides from fresh and dried litchi pulp.

Drying is commonly used for preservation and processing of litchi. However, its polysaccharide structure may be altered by the drying process, resulting in biological activity changes. Polysaccharides from fresh and dried litchi pulp (denoted as LPF and LPD, respectively) were isolated, investigated by GC-MS, GPC and UV/IR spectrum analysis and their antitumor and immunomodulatory activities were evaluated in vitro. LPD, the molecular weight of which was lower than that of LPF, contained more protein, uronic acid, arabinose, galactose and xylose. Compared with LPF, LPD exhibited a higher inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2, Hela and A549 cells from 50-750 µg/mL. LPD was also a better stimulator of spleen lymphocyte proliferation, NK cells cytotoxicity and macrophage phagocytosis from 50-400 µg/mL. In summary, drying could change the physicochemical properties and enhance the bioactivity of polysaccharides from litchi pulp. This finding is supported by the fact that dried litchi pulps are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

[Influence of different preparation on the content of carbohydrate and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides from raw paeoniae radix alba and stir-baked paeoniae radix alba].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the difference of two preparation methods on the content of carbohydrate and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides from raw Paeoniae Radix Alba and stir-baked Paeoniae Radix Alba. METHODS: Polysaccharides extracted from raw Paeoniae Radix Alba and stir-baked Paeoniae Radix Alba with water were precipitated by ethanol and named as BSEP-S and BSEP-C, respectively. In the same way, those deposited by acetone were named as BSAP-S and BSAP-C. Their physicochemical properties, including extraction yield, the content of carbohydrate, elemental composition and monosaccharide composition, were determined. RESULTS: Extraction yield, sugar content and uronic acid content of BSEP-S was 1.56%, 80.56% and 3.33% , BSEP-C 1.18%, 80.79% and 5.47%, BSAP-S 1.58%, 86.50% and 3.79%, and BSAP-C 1.54%, 81.64% and 3.25%, respectively. In addition, monosaccharide compositions showed that glucose was the main monosaccharide and successively reached 92.21%, 87.30%, 91.45% and 86.62%. CONCLUSION: Yield and content of carbohydrate from raw Paeoniae Radix Alba and stir-baked Paeoniae Radix Alba by water extraction-ethanol precipitation are a little higher than that by water extraction-acetone precipitation, but monosaccharide compositions are almost the same. Different preparation has significant impact on the yield and the content of carbohydrate in Paeoniae Radix Alba by stir-baked method, and it can decrease the dissolution of polysaccharide.

Structural and genetic characterization of the Escherichia coli O180 O antigen and identification of a UDP-GlcNAc 6-dehydrogenase.

The O antigen is an essential component of the lipopolysaccharides on the surface of Gram-negative bacteria and its variation provides a major basis for serotyping schemes. The Escherichia coli O-antigen form O180 was first designated in 2004, and O180 strains were found to contain virulence factors and cause diarrhea. Different O-antigen forms are almost entirely due to genetic variations in the O-antigen gene clusters. In this study, the chemical structure and gene cluster of E. coli O180 O antigen were investigated. A tetrasaccharide repeating unit with the following structure: →4)-ß-D-ManpNAc3NAcA-(1 → 2)-α-L-Rhap(I)-(1 → 3)-ß-L-Rhap(II)-(1 → 4)-α-D-GlcpNAc-(1→was identified in the E. coli O180 O antigen, including the residue D-ManpNAc3NAcA (2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-mannopyranuronic acid) that had not been hitherto identified in E. coli. Genes in the O-antigen gene cluster were assigned functions based on their similarities with those from available databases, and five genes involved in the synthesis of UDP-D-ManpNAc3NAcA (the nucleotide-activated form of D-ManpNAc3NAcA) were identified. The gnaA gene, encoding the enzyme involved in the initial step of the UDP-D-ManpNAc3NAcA biosynthetic pathway, was cloned and the enzyme product was expressed, purified and assayed for its activity. GnaA was characterized using capillary electrophoresis and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and identified as a UDP-GlcNAc 6-dehydrogenase. The kinetic and physicochemical parameters of GnaA also were determined.

A comparison between high hydrostatic pressure extraction and heat extraction of ginsenosides from ginseng (Panax ginseng CA Meyer).

BACKGROUND: To determine biomaterial components, the components must first be transferred into solution; thus extraction is the first step in biomaterial analysis. High hydrostatic pressure technology was used for ginsenoside extraction from ginseng roots. In the extraction of fresh and red ginseng, high hydrostatic pressure extraction (HHPE) was found to be more effective than heat extraction (HE). RESULTS: In fresh ginseng extraction under HHPE, total ginsenosides (1602.2 µg mL⁻¹) and ginsenoside metabolite (132.6 µg mL⁻¹) levels were slightly higher than those under HE (1259.0 and 78.7 µg mL⁻¹), respectively. In red ginseng, similar results indicated total ginsenoside and ginsenoside metabolite amounts according to the extraction methods. Most volatile compounds by HHPE were higher than by HE treatment. HHPE of red ginseng was conducted under four pressures: 0.1 MPa (1 atm), 30, 50, and 80 MPa. Total sugar, uronic acid, and polyphenol amounts increased until 30 MPa of pressure and then showed decreasing tendencies. Total ginsenoside and ginsenoside metabolite contents linearly increased with increasing pressure, and a maximum was reached at 80 MPa for the metabolites. CONCLUSION: HHPE used for red ginseng processing contributes to enhanced extraction efficiencies of functional materials such as ginsenosides through cell structure modification.

Purification, characterization and immunostimulatory effects of polysaccharides from Anemarrhena asphodeloides rhizomes.

The crude polysaccharide was extracted from A. asphodeloides rhizomes and further purified to produce two fractions F1 (50.0%) and F2 (19.6%). The chemical constitutions of the polysaccharides were neutral sugars (51.4%-89.7%), uronic acids (1.0%-30.2%) and sulfate esters (3.4%-8.1%), with various ratios of monosaccharides including rhamnose (1.4%-6.1%), arabinose (7.1%-21.2%), xylose (0.2%-4.8%), mannose (39.9%-79.0%), glucose (6.0%-11.1%) and galactose (2.6%-22.0%). The molecular properties of the polysaccharides were investigated by the HPSEC-UV-MALLS-RI system, revealing the Mw 130.0 × 103-576.5 × 103 g/moL, Rg 87.6-382.6 nm and SVg 0.3-54.3 cm3/g. The polysaccharides stimulated RAW264.7 cells to produce considerable amounts of NO and up-regulate the expression of TNF-α, IL-1 and COX-2 genes. Polysaccharides exhibited the growth inhibitory effects on cancer cells lines of AGS, MKN-28 and MKN-45, in which F2 fraction exhibited prominent bioactivities. The AGS cells treated with F2 experienced condensed cytoplasm, shrinkage of nucleus and chromatin marginalization with the highest number of cells at early-stage apoptosis reaching 54.6%. The inhibitory effect of F2 polysaccharide on AGS cells was through MAPKs and STAT3 signaling pathways. The backbone of the F2 was mainly linked by (1 â†’ 4)-linked mannopyranosyl and (1 â†’ 3)-linked galactopyranosyl. Taken together, the polysaccharide from A. asphodeloides rhizomes could be utilized as medicinal, pharmacological and functional food ingredients.

Sera from patients with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis contain antibodies to glomerular heparan sulfate proteoglycan.

Antibodies, found in human sera from patients with poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis, against proteoglycans (PG) derived from bovine and human glomeruli were investigated. PG were isolated by 4 M guanidine-HCl extraction of whole glomeruli, followed by DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B ion exchange chromatography. The anionic fractions were further purified by chromatography on Sepharose CL-4B. Biochemical analysis of the two resulting peaks revealed the presence of high molecular weight anionic material containing protein, uronic acid, glucosamine, and galactosamine. Enzymatic and chemical susceptibilities indicated the presence of heparan sulfate PG and a galactosamine-containing PG. Immunologic studies revealed the presence of anti-PG antibodies to both PG peaks of the Sepharose CL-4B column in glomerulonephritis sera. Inhibition studies using an ELISA demonstrated that heparan sulfate was a major antigenic determinant. Cross-reactivity with both mammalian and streptococcal hyaluronate was noted. Inhibition studies also indicated the presence of a second antigenic site containing N-acetylgalactosamine, possibly representing chondroitin or dermatan sulfate PG.

Studies on chemical composition, rheological and antioxidant properties of pectin isolated from Riang (Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr.) pod.

Although synthetic antioxidant food additives are widely used in a variety of food products, some of them are suspected of having a noxious effect on human health. As a consequence, much research attention has been focused on developing natural antioxidant compounds from plants. Riang (Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr.) is known as a traditional medicinal plant in which its various parts have been reported to exhibit antioxidant and numerous biological activities. In this study, pectins from Riang pod husk and pod powder were extracted, and their physico-chemical, rheological, and antioxidant properties were characterized. The extracted pectins showed high uronic acid content (> 65%) and high molecular weight (200-250 kDa) and the yields were approximately 15 and 36%w/w (dry basis), for Riang husk pectin (RHP) and Riang pod powder pectin (RPP), respectively. Furthermore, both pectins were classified as a high methoxyl with their DE of ~66%. Rheological measurements revealed a pseudoplastic behavior above 2% w/v. RHP contained higher content of total phenolics, flavonoids and tannin, compared with RPP. Antioxidant activities of RHP were consequently higher than RPP in all studied assays. The highest antioxidant activities of RHP and RPP, obtained from ABTS assay, were 0.95 and 0.24 mmol Trolox equivalents/g, respectively.

Enzymatic preparation of a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide rich in uronic acid from the seaweed Laminaria japonica and evaluation of its hypolipidemic effect in mice.

Here, we describe a method combining thermo-acid pretreatment and alginate lyase hydrolysis to prepare a low-molecular-weight polysaccharide from the seaweed Laminaria japonica (SP). The in vitro results showed that SP displayed obvious absorption of oil (2.95 g g-1) and cholesterol (21.87 g g-1 at pH 2.0). In addition, the in vivo assessment of SP-related anti-obesity effects in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet and treated with SP for 8 weeks revealed that SP significantly reduced weight gain and lipid accumulation in white adipose and liver tissues, improved serum lipid profiles, and ameliorated intestinal damage. Moreover, SP activated the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway in liver tissues, downregulated sterol regulatory element-binding protein and fatty acid synthase, and suppressed lipid synthesis. These findings indicated that SP extracted from L. japonica might represent a potent functional food exhibiting anti-obesity effects.

Physicochemical, functional, and biological properties of water-soluble polysaccharides from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit.

Water-soluble polysaccharides (RTFP) were extracted from Rosa roxburghii Tratt fruit by hot water method. The physicochemical, functional, and hypoglycemic properties of RTFP were investigated. The results revealed that RTFP mainly contained carbohydrates (63.79 ±â€¯0.73%, g/g), uronic acids (14.8 ±â€¯0.06%, g/g), and proteins (4.10 ±â€¯0.58%, g/g). RTFP was composed of arabinose, galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose, and fucose with molar percentages of 33.8, 37.3, 20.7, 1.74, 3.43, and 2.95%, respectively. Functional analyses indicated that RTFP had good oil-holding capacity, foaming properties, and emulsifying capacity. The rheological results showed that RTFP exhibited typical shear-thinning behavior and viscoelastic properties influenced by sample concentration, temperature and inorganic salt. Additionally, RTFP exhibited favorable inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase in a mixed inhibition type, and against α-amylase in an uncompetitive inhibition type. These results suggest that RTFP can be exploited as a multi-functional additive or hypoglycemic agent in foods, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Effects of polysaccharides from abalone viscera (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) on MGC 803 cells proliferation.

The polysaccharides (AVP) was obtained from abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) viscera, using the alkaline protease to enzymolysis, sevage method and repeated freezing and thawing method to remove protein and hydrogen peroxide method to depigment. The total sugar content was 46.27±1.5% and uronic acid, sulfate radical, hexosamine and protein contents were 17.44±0.22%, 16.98±0.15%, 0.65±0.02% and 1.64±0.13% in AVP respectively. The main monosaccharide compositions of AVP were d-galactose, d-xylose, d-mannose, d-glucose and d-glucuronic acid. MTT assay showed AVP had a significant anti-tumor activity to gastric carcinoma cells, especially to MGC 803, while it had no influence upon proliferation of normal stomach cells GES 1. The results of Morphological changes, cell migration ability and AO/EB staining indicated that MGC803 cells underwent apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner induced by AVP. Moreover, the western blotting results showed that the expressions of survivin, Bcl-2 and VEGF were decreased, while the expression of Bax and p53 were increased in a dose-dependent manner of AVP. The results suggested that AVP might be a potential anti-tumor agent securely and naturally.

Minor polysaccharidic constituents from the red seaweed Hypnea musciformis. Appearance of a novel branched uronic acid.

Two polysaccharide fractions isolated from Hypnea musciformis after room temperature- and hot water extraction, soluble after KCl precipitation of the more abundant carrageenans, were subfractionated by ion-exchange chromatography eluting with increasing concentrations of NaCl. The lowest NaCl concentration (0.2M) eluted agarans. The dl-hybrids (or mixtures) eluted at intermediate concentrations of NaCl. The d/l-galactose ratio and the sulfate proportion increased with the NaCl concentration. Different types of substitution were present, mainly at C-3 with sulfate, Xyl and methylated Gal stubs, as well as low amounts of 3,6-AnGal. A novel constituent, identified as 3-C-carboxy-d-erythrose1 in its ß-furanosic form, was found linked to C-6 of ß-Gal units. A search carried out in other species like Iridaea undulosa and Kappaphycus alvarezii also revealed the same constituent. Finally, the late-eluting fractions were mostly carrageenans, with a structure consistent with that of a κ/ι/ν-carrageenan hybrid.

A new nucleoside derivative, AJP117510, as an inhibitor of integrin alpha2beta1-collagen binding.

A new nucleoside derivative, AJP117510 (1) was isolated from unidentified fungus AJ117510. The structure of 1 was elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. Nucleoside 1 inhibited the binding of integrin alpha2beta1 to collagen in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 value of 5.9 microM.

Teichoic, teichulosonic and teichuronic acids in the cell wall of Brevibacterium aurantiacum VKM Ac-2111(Т).

Two different teichoic acids, along with a teichulosonic and a teichuronic acids, were identified in the cell wall of Brevibacterium aurantiacum VKM Ac-2111(Т). One teichoic acid is 1,3-poly(glycerol phosphate) with 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-α-D-galactopyranose and L-glutamic acid as non-stoichiometric substituents at O-2 of the glycerol residue. The second one is a poly(glycosylglycerol phosphate) with -4)-α-D-Galp-(1 → 2)-sn-Gro-(3-P- and/or -6)-α-D-Galp-(1 → 2)-sn-Gro-(3-P- units in the main chain. The structure of the first has not been reported so far, while the latter one is new for actinobacteria. The teichulosonic acid with α-3-deoxy-ß-D-glycero-D-galacto-non-2-ulopyranosonic acid (Kdn) and ß-D-glucopyranose residues in the backbone represents a novel polymer: → 8)-α-Kdn-(2 → 6)-ß-D-Glcp-(1 →. The teichuronic acid has also hitherto unknown structure: → 3)-ß-D-Galf(2OAc)0.3-(1 → 3)-ß-D-GlcpА-(1 → and is found in members of the genus Brevibacterium for the first time. The polymer structures were elucidated using 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopy: (1)H,(1)H COSY, TOCSY, ROESY, (1)H,(13)C HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, and (1)H,(13)C and (1)H,(31)P HMBC.

Teichuronic acid of the cell wall of Actinoplanes brasiliensis.

The cell wall of Actinoplanes brasiliensis INA 3802 contains a teichuronic acid of unusual structure, as determined in a nondestructive way by 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. The polysaccharide comprises six tetrasaccharide units of the following composition: -->6)-alpha-D-Glcp-(1-->4)-beta-D-2,3-diacetamido- 2,3-dideoxyGlcpA-(1-->4)-alpha-D-2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dide oxyGlcp-(1-->4)-beta- D-2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxyManpA. A polymer of such structure has not heretofore been reported for procaryotic cell walls.

Structural features of a novel polysaccharide isolated from a New Zealand Maori mushroom Iliodiction cibarium.

A purified water-soluble fraction (ICP5) of a polysaccharide, isolated from a local Maori mushroom Iliodiction cibarium in New Zealand, was investigated for its structural properties. Size exclusion chromatography and dynamic light scattering showed that ICP5 had a large MW of 1.6 × 10(5) Da with a hydrodynamic diameter of 83 ± 8 nm. Particle size measurements also displayed the tendency of ICP5 to aggregate when suspended in water. The results of GC-MS, FTIR and NMR analyses allowed some characteristics of the chemical structure of ICP5 to be determined. GC-MS results showed that ICP5 contained only glucose (81.61%), galactose (12.90%) and mannose (5.49%) monomers. The characterized fragment structures of ICP5 were found to be dominantly consisting of uronic acids, which formed a backbone containing 1,4-ß-D-GlcpA. A small amount of unsaturated uronic acid also appeared to be present.

Optimization of ultrasound assisted extraction of bioactive components from brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum using response surface methodology.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of key extraction parameters of extraction time (5-25 min), acid concentration (0-0.06 M HCl) and ultrasound amplitude (22.8-114 µm) on yields of bioactive compounds (total phenolics, fucose and uronic acid) from Ascophyllumnodosum. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the extraction variables for bioactive compounds' yield. A second order polynomial model was fitted well to the extraction experimental data with (R(2)>0.79). Extraction yields of 143.12 mgGAE/gdb, 87.06 mg/gdb and 128.54 mg/gdb were obtained for total phenolics, fucose and uronic acid respectively at optimized extraction conditions of extraction time (25 min), acid concentration (0.03 M HCl) and ultrasonic amplitude (114 µm). Mass spectroscopy analysis of extracts show that ultrasound enhances the extraction of high molecular weight phenolic compounds from A. nodosum. This study demonstrates that ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) can be employed to enhance extraction of bioactive compounds from seaweed.