Optimization and characterization of Kappaphycus alvarezii and κ-carrageenan hydrolysates with potential biomedical applications

Abstract

Kappaphycus alvarezii , a widely cultivated red macroalga , is primarily known as a source of κ-carrageenan (κC), a polysaccharide with potential health benefits. This study optimized the hydrolysis process of K . alvarezii and κC using weak acetic acid under varying conditions of concentration, temperature, and duration. The resulting hydrolysates were characterized and evaluated for their biological activities , including antioxidant properties, α-amylase inhibition, oral sucrose tolerance, cytotoxicity, glucose uptake , and apoptosis gene expression in MCF7 and WiDr cancer cell lines. The optimized conditions—2 M acetic acid at 110 °C for 90 mins—yielded the highest reducing sugar content (31.87 g/L for K . alvarezii and 39.73 g/L for κC). The hydrolysates showed antioxidant activity (IC50: 2.58 mg/mL for K . alvarezii and 4.92 mg/mL for κC), significant α-amylase inhibition, and slightly to moderate toxicity in rats, inducing apoptosis in cancer cells through increased expression of BAX and Caspase 3 . In vivo tests further demonstrated the potential of these hydrolysates to modulate blood glucose levels. These findings suggest that K . alvarezii and κC hydrolysates have promising therapeutic applications in antioxidant activity , enzyme inhibition, and cancer treatment, warranting further investigation.

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