Anticoagulant activity of a sulfated polysaccharide isolated from the green seaweed Caulerpa cupressoides

The aim of this study was to evaluate certain molecular characteristics of a sulfated polysaccharide (SPs) with anticoagulant properties, isolated from Caulerpa cupressoides (Chlorophyta). Crude SPs were extracted by proteolytic digestion (papain), followed by ion-exchange chromatography on a DEAE-cellulose column. The fractions obtained were analyzed for molecular mass, 0.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and chemical composition. The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test was applied using normal human plasma and standard heparin (HEP) (193 IU mg-1). The yield was ~ 3%, and the chrom...