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Fucoxanthin

Fucoxanthin is an allenic xanthophyll carotenoid, an orange-brown pigment primarily found in brown seaweeds (macroalgae) and diatoms, where it serves as a light-harvesting accessory pigment in photosynthesis and accounts for more than 10% of the estimated total natural production of carotenoids.^[1]^[2] Its chemical formula is C₄₂H₅₈O₆, with a molecular weight of 658.9 g/mol, featuring a unique structure including an allenic bond, a 5,6-monoepoxide ring, nine conjugated double bonds, and oxygen-containing functional groups such as epoxy, hydroxyl, carbonyl, and ester moieties that contribute to its biological activity.^[1]^[2] Extracted mainly from edible brown seaweeds like Undaria pinnatifida (wakame), Laminaria japonica (kombu), and Hijikia fusiformis, as well as microalgae such as Phaeodactylum tricornutum, fucoxanthin is a staple in traditional diets in regions like Southeast Asia and has seen growing commercial interest as a nutraceutical ingredient, with the global market valued at over USD 200 million as of 2024 and projected to reach USD 280 million by 2030 at a CAGR of about 5%.^[1]^[2]^[3] In the human body, it is metabolized into active forms like fucoxanthinol and amarouciaxanthin A, primarily via enzymatic reduction in the intestines, enhancing its bioavailability when consumed with lipids such as fish oil or medium-chain triglycerides.^[2] However, fucoxanthin exhibits instability under exposure to heat, light, oxygen, and certain pH conditions, which can lead to degradation into cis-isomers and reduce its efficacy in food processing or storage.^[2] Fucoxanthin is renowned for its potent antioxidant properties, scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway to mitigate oxidative stress in various cellular models.^[1] It also demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway and reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6, offering potential protection against conditions like arthritis and neuroinflammation.^[1] In preclinical studies, fucoxanthin has shown anti-cancer activity through induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and inhibition of tumor proliferation in models of colorectal, breast, and lung cancers, often outperforming other carotenoids due to its unique structural features.^[1]^[2] Additionally, fucoxanthin exhibits anti-obesity effects by promoting thermogenesis, increasing expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white adipose tissue, and reducing fat accumulation, as evidenced in animal models and limited human trials where supplementation led to decreased body weight and waist circumference.^[1]^[2] Other notable benefits include antidiabetic actions via improvement of insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism, hepatoprotective effects against liver damage from toxins or high-fat diets, and neuroprotective properties that may alleviate symptoms in models of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.^[1]^[2] Cardiovascular benefits, such as reduction in blood pressure and cholesterol levels, further underscore its role in preventing chronic diseases.^[2] Safety profiles from preclinical and limited clinical data indicate fucoxanthin is non-toxic, with no observed mortality or genotoxicity at doses up to 2000 mg/kg in rodents, and it has been safely consumed in traditional seaweed-based diets for centuries without adverse effects.^[1]^[2] Nonetheless, more large-scale human clinical trials are needed to fully validate its efficacy, optimal dosing, and long-term safety, particularly given the current scarcity of such studies (only one obesity-focused trial reported between 2017 and 2022).^[1]

Chemistry

Molecular Structure

Fucoxanthin is a xanthophyll carotenoid with the molecular formula C₄₂H₅₈O₆ and a molecular weight of 658.91 g/mol.^[4] This formula reflects its status as an oxygenated derivative of the carotenoid backbone, featuring six oxygen atoms incorporated into various functional groups.^[5] The molecule consists of a long conjugated polyene chain with nine double bonds, which forms the core structure responsible for its light-absorbing properties. Key structural elements include an allenic bond at the C7'-C8' position, a 5,6-monoepoxide group bridging C5 and C6. These features, along with hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, give fucoxanthin its distinctive orange-brown hue and differentiate it from typical carotenoids.^[6]^[7]^[8] In comparison to other carotenoids like β-carotene (C₄₀H₅₆), which is a non-oxygenated hydrocarbon, fucoxanthin is distinguished by its multiple oxygenated functional groups and marine-specific modifications such as the allenic and acetylenic bonds. These adaptations enhance its role in algal pigmentation and bioactivity, setting it apart from terrestrial carotenoids.^[5]^[9] Fucoxanthin was first isolated in 1914 from brown algae including Fucus, Dictyota, and Laminaria species by Richard Willstätter and H. J. Page. Its full chemical structure, including stereochemistry, was elucidated in the 1970s using spectroscopic methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR).^[5]^[8]

Physical and Chemical Properties

Fucoxanthin is typically isolated as an orange-red to brownish-red crystalline powder or lipid-soluble substance. It exhibits low solubility in water (approximately 0.00057 g/L), rendering it hydrophobic and non-polar, but it dissolves readily in organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, acetone, chloroform, and DMSO, with solubilities around 10–20 mg/mL in DMSO and acetone.^[10]^[6]^[11] The compound demonstrates sensitivity to environmental factors, including light, heat, oxygen, and pH, leading to degradation primarily through isomerization (e.g., trans to cis forms) and oxidation of its polyene chain. Under UV exposure, such as UVA, fucoxanthin undergoes rapid photodegradation, with significant loss (over 20%) observed after irradiation at 27.5 J/cm², and retention dropping to 1.7–2.1% after 4 weeks in light conditions across pH 3–9. Thermal stability is relatively higher, with minimal degradation up to 80°C for short durations (e.g., 1 hour at pH 3–10, with less than 6% loss when stabilized), but it accelerates above 100°C or in the presence of oxygen, promoting auto-oxidation; storage at -20°C extends shelf life to at least 4 years. Alkaline pH (e.g., pH 9) and antioxidants like 1% ascorbic acid enhance stability, retaining up to 71% in dark conditions over 4 weeks, while acidic pH (e.g., pH 3) exacerbates loss.^[10]^[12]^[13]^[14]^[11] Spectroscopic analysis is key for identification, with UV-Vis absorption maxima typically ranging from 449–540 nm in organic solvents, reflecting its conjugated double bonds and allene moiety; specific peaks include 446–448 nm and 468 nm in acetone or ethanol. This blue-green light absorption enables quantification via HPLC-UV at around 450 nm.^[10]^[15] Chemically, fucoxanthin's extended conjugated system and epoxide group confer reactivity, supporting its potential as an antioxidant through radical scavenging, yet it is prone to auto-oxidation in air, yielding products like apo-fucoxanthinals and fucoxanthinones via cleavage of double bonds. The allene bond contributes to instability, facilitating isomerization under stress.^[12]^[16]

Occurrence and Biosynthesis

Natural Sources

Fucoxanthin is predominantly sourced from brown macroalgae belonging to the class Phaeophyceae, where it constitutes a major carotenoid pigment, as well as from certain microalgae such as diatoms.^[5] These organisms thrive in marine environments, and fucoxanthin is absent in green algae (Chlorophyta) or red algae (Rhodophyta).^[5] Among brown macroalgae, notable species include Laminaria japonica (Japanese kelp), Undaria pinnatifida (wakame), and various Sargassum species such as Sargassum fusiforme (hijiki) and Sargassum polycystum.^[17] Fucoxanthin concentrations in these algae typically range from 0.1% to 0.5% of dry weight, with higher levels observed in Undaria pinnatifida reaching up to 4.96 mg/g dry weight and in Sargassum binderi at approximately 7.4 mg/g dry weight.^[17] In edible varieties like hijiki, content can attain up to 0.21% fresh weight, making it one of the richest macroalgal sources.^[18] These algae are abundant in cold-temperate marine waters, particularly along coastal regions of Asia (e.g., Japan, Korea, China) and the North Atlantic, including European shores.^[6] In microalgae, diatoms like Phaeodactylum tricornutum serve as significant sources, often exhibiting higher relative concentrations than macroalgae, up to 1.86% of dry weight under natural conditions.^[19] Minor contributions come from some dinoflagellates, though diatoms predominate among microalgae.^[20] These planktonic forms are widespread in temperate and cold oceanic waters globally.^[6]

Biosynthetic Pathways

Fucoxanthin biosynthesis occurs primarily in plastids of ochrophytes, including brown algae (macroalgae) and diatoms (microalgae), and follows the general carotenoid pathway with unique modifications in the later stages. The process begins in the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway, where isopentenyl pyrophosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate condense to form geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP). Two GGPP molecules are then condensed by phytoene synthase to produce phytoene, which undergoes desaturation by phytoene desaturase and ζ-carotene desaturase to yield lycopene. Lycopene is cyclized by lycopene β-cyclase to β-carotene, followed by hydroxylation to zeaxanthin via a β-carotene hydroxylase. Zeaxanthin is subsequently epoxidized to violaxanthin by zeaxanthin epoxidase (ZEP).^[21] From violaxanthin, the pathway diverges to form fucoxanthin through a series of modifications, including further epoxidation, allenic bond formation, and acetylation, which confer its distinctive structure. In brown algae such as Ectocarpus siliculosus, violaxanthin is converted to neoxanthin by a neoxanthin synthase, followed by ketolation and acetylation to introduce the allenic and acetyl groups characteristic of fucoxanthin; however, the specific enzymes for these late steps remain unidentified.^[21] In diatoms like Phaeodactylum tricornutum, mutant analyses have elucidated a more detailed route: violaxanthin is de-epoxidized and rearranged by violaxanthin de-epoxidase-like 1 (VDL1) to neoxanthin, which dehydrates to diadinoxanthin, tautomerizes to allenoxanthin via VDL2, acetylates to haptoxanthin, epoxidizes to phaneroxanthin by ZEP1, and finally hydrates to fucoxanthin catalyzed by carotenoid isomerase 5 (CRTISO5).^[22]^[23] Genetic regulation of fucoxanthin biosynthesis is influenced by environmental cues, particularly light intensity, with key genes upregulated under high-light conditions to support photoprotection and light harvesting.^[24] In diatoms, expression of biosynthetic genes correlates with the abundance of fucoxanthin-chlorophyll a/c-binding proteins (FCPs), which integrate the pigment into light-harvesting complexes, showing distinct patterns between macroalgae and microalgae due to differences in plastid evolution and stress responses. For instance, in Phaeodactylum tricornutum, high light enhances transcript levels of desaturases and epoxidases, boosting fucoxanthin accumulation.^[24] The pathway is unique to ochrophytes and evolved through gene duplications and neofunctionalization of xanthophyll cycle enzymes following the secondary endosymbiosis of a red alga, estimated at 1.2–1.5 billion years ago based on molecular clock analyses, diverging from the carotenoid biosynthesis in green plants and red algae.^[25] This evolutionary adaptation enabled efficient absorption of blue-green light in marine environments, with brown algae retaining a simpler late-stage pathway compared to the more complex, dehydration-involving route in diatoms.^[21]

Biological Functions

Role in Photosynthesis

Fucoxanthin serves as a primary light-harvesting pigment in the chloroplasts of brown algae (Phaeophyceae) and diatoms (Bacillariophyceae), where it is integral to the photosynthetic apparatus. Embedded within fucoxanthin-chlorophyll protein (FCP) complexes, it captures photons and facilitates excitation energy transfer to chlorophyll molecules, ultimately directing energy to photosystem II (PSII) for electron transport. These FCP complexes, part of the broader light-harvesting complex (LHC) family, are oligomeric structures—often trimers or nonamers—composed of Lhcf proteins that bind fucoxanthin alongside chlorophyll a (Chl a) and chlorophyll c (Chl c).^[26]^[27] The pigment's absorption spectrum is particularly adapted to marine conditions, peaking in the blue-green range (450–540 nm), which corresponds to the dominant wavelengths penetrating deeper water layers that are less efficiently absorbed by chlorophylls alone. This complementary absorption allows fucoxanthin to harvest light not utilized by Chl a, broadening the effective spectral range for photosynthesis. Excitation energy from fucoxanthin is transferred to Chl a primarily through its S1/SICT (intramolecular charge transfer) state, with ultrafast timescales (2.6–4.2 ps) ensuring minimal loss, while transfer from Chl c to Chl a occurs even faster (<60 fs). No significant energy transfer from fucoxanthin to Chl c has been observed.^[28]^[29]^[28] In FCP antennas, the energy transfer efficiency from fucoxanthin to Chl a exceeds 90%, enabling quantum yields that enhance overall photosynthetic performance, especially in low-light aquatic environments where diatoms and brown algae thrive. This high efficiency stems from the pigment's integration into thylakoid membranes within secondary plastids, where FCPs associate closely with PSII, optimizing energy delivery for linear electron flow. Unlike higher plants, which lack fucoxanthin and rely solely on chlorophyll-based antennas tuned to terrestrial light spectra, algae exploit this carotenoid to capture the blue-green light prevalent underwater, conferring a competitive advantage in oceanic niches.^[28]^[26]^[30]

Photoprotective Mechanisms

Fucoxanthin plays a crucial role in protecting algal cells, particularly in brown algae and diatoms, from excess light-induced damage by dissipating surplus energy and neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). In these organisms, fucoxanthin is embedded within fucoxanthin-chlorophyll protein (FCP) complexes in the thylakoid membranes, where it facilitates non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) to prevent photodamage to photosystem II (PSII). This mechanism is vital in dynamic aquatic environments where light intensity fluctuates rapidly, such as during tidal exposures.^[31] The primary photoprotective function of fucoxanthin involves NPQ, which dissipates excess absorbed light energy as heat rather than allowing it to generate harmful ROS. In diatoms and brown algae, NPQ is enhanced through the diadinoxanthin cycle (DD cycle), a xanthophyll cycle variant where diadinoxanthin is converted to diatoxanthin under high irradiance via violaxanthin de-epoxidase enzymes, activated by a trans-thylakoid proton gradient and low pH. Fucoxanthin within FCP aggregates contributes to this process by promoting protein-protein interactions that quench chlorophyll fluorescence, with quenching efficiency increasing at lower pH (e.g., 4.5) and higher diatoxanthin content, reducing fluorescence yield by up to 85%. This energy-dependent quenching protects PSII from overexcitation and photoinhibition.^[31]^[32] Additionally, fucoxanthin's extended conjugated polyene system enables direct scavenging of ROS, including singlet oxygen (^1O_2) and peroxides, thereby preventing oxidative damage to membrane lipids and proteins. Its quenching rate constant for singlet oxygen is comparable to that of β-carotene, effectively inhibiting lipid peroxidation in algal thylakoids under stress conditions. This antioxidant activity complements NPQ by addressing ROS formed despite energy dissipation. Fucoxanthin's photoprotective mechanisms enhance algal adaptation to variable light regimes, such as in intertidal zones, where exposure to high irradiance can cause photoinhibition (a decline in PSII efficiency, measured as reduced F_v/F_m). Studies on brown macroalgae like Sargassum fusiforme demonstrate that fucoxanthin-to-chlorophyll a ratios increase under elevated light (130–300 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹), correlating with higher NPQ and reduced photoinhibition, allowing sustained photosynthesis and growth. In diatoms, fucoxanthin interacts with other carotenoids, including zeaxanthin under high light, to broaden spectral protection, though diatoxanthin remains the dominant NPQ effector in FCP complexes. These combined actions can significantly mitigate photoinhibitory damage, supporting survival in fluctuating marine habitats.^[33]^[31]

Pharmacology

Absorption and Bioavailability

Fucoxanthin demonstrates low oral bioavailability in humans, based on in vitro bioaccessibility studies and animal models extrapolated to human physiology, largely attributable to its high lipophilicity that hinders dissolution in the aqueous gastrointestinal environment.^[34] This carotenoid's absorption is significantly enhanced when co-ingested with dietary fats, such as medium-chain triglycerides or edible oils, which facilitate micelle formation and improve solubility and uptake in the small intestine.^[29] However, consumption within natural seaweed matrices may limit bioavailability due to components like dietary fiber that inhibit absorption.^[9] Pharmacokinetic profiles in human volunteers indicate that fucoxanthin is rapidly converted to its primary metabolite, fucoxanthinol, primarily through enzymatic hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract, with gut microbiota contributing to this biotransformation process.^[2] Following oral administration of 31 mg fucoxanthin from kombu extract, peak plasma concentrations of fucoxanthinol reach approximately 44.2 nmol/L at 4 hours post-dose, with an elimination half-life of about 7 hours and an area under the curve (AUC) of 663.7 nmol·h/L.^[35] These parameters suggest moderate systemic exposure, though unchanged fucoxanthin is rarely detectable in plasma, underscoring the metabolite's dominance in circulation.^[36] Bioavailability may exhibit dose-dependency, with efficacy observed in clinical trials at low doses (e.g., around 1 mg/day).^[37] Factors such as age and health status may further influence uptake, though specific reductions in elderly or obese individuals remain underexplored in direct human studies. Fucoxanthinol is quantifiable in human plasma via high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods, often coupled with mass spectrometry for sensitivity, enabling precise monitoring of exposure.^[35] Human intervention trials have demonstrated that fucoxanthin metabolites preferentially accumulate in adipose tissue, supporting their role in lipid-related bioactivities.^[38]

Metabolism in Humans

Upon ingestion, fucoxanthin undergoes rapid enzymatic hydrolysis in the human intestines, primarily by lipase and cholesterol esterase, resulting in its conversion to the primary metabolite fucoxanthinol via deacetylation and reduction processes (primarily studied in animal models, with limited direct human data).^[2] This transformation occurs within hours, with fucoxanthinol being the predominant form detected in human plasma rather than unchanged fucoxanthin.^[39] In the liver, fucoxanthinol is further metabolized to secondary metabolites such as amarouciaxanthin A through dehydrogenation and isomerization.^[2] Additionally, hepatic phase II metabolism includes conjugation of these metabolites with glucuronides to enhance water solubility and facilitate elimination.^[6] Tissue distribution of fucoxanthin metabolites shows preferential accumulation in the liver, where initial processing occurs, as well as in adipose tissue and skin. Fucoxanthinol predominates in the liver and heart, while amarouciaxanthin A is more concentrated in white adipose tissue, with prolonged retention (half-life exceeding 41 days in adipose in mice compared to shorter durations in plasma or liver).^[40] In skin, metabolites may accumulate following systemic absorption, contributing to localized effects, though human data remain limited and often extrapolated from animal models.^[6] Excretion primarily occurs via feces, accounting for the majority of eliminated compounds due to incomplete absorption and biliary secretion, with approximately 80% of unabsorbed or metabolized forms recovered fecally; urinary excretion represents a smaller fraction, around 10-15%, mainly as conjugated metabolites.^[6] Individual variability in fucoxanthin metabolism is influenced by the gut microbiome, which modulates the yield and profile of metabolites through colonic fermentation and enzymatic contributions, potentially altering bioavailability.^[39] Studies from the 2010s and 2020s indicate that microbiome composition affects metabolite production, with certain bacterial strains enhancing conversion efficiency.^[6]

Health Effects and Research

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Activities

Fucoxanthin exhibits potent antioxidant activity primarily through direct scavenging of free radicals and indirect enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defenses. In cell-free assays, it demonstrates radical-scavenging capacity against DPPH, indicating moderate direct quenching of reactive oxygen species (ROS).^[41]^[42] Furthermore, fucoxanthin upregulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway, promoting the expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), which help mitigate oxidative stress in cellular models.^[41]^[42] The anti-inflammatory properties of fucoxanthin involve suppression of key pro-inflammatory pathways and mediators. It inhibits the activation of NF-κB and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), thereby reducing the production of inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cell models.^[43]^[44] In vitro studies further highlight fucoxanthin's neuroprotective potential against oxidative damage. It protects neuronal cells from hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptosis by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway and reducing intracellular ROS accumulation. Recent 2024 research on its metabolite, fucoxanthinol, shows enhanced ROS reduction and improved GSH levels in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells under oxidative stress conditions.^[45] Fucoxanthin's antioxidant effects are amplified when combined with vitamin C, demonstrating synergistic interactions that enhance overall ROS scavenging and modulate immune cell functions like lymphocyte activity.^[46] These synergies suggest potential for combined formulations to bolster anti-inflammatory outcomes in oxidative stress-related conditions. However, large-scale human clinical trials are limited, and further research is needed to validate these effects in vivo.

Metabolic and Anticancer Benefits

Fucoxanthin has demonstrated anti-obesity effects primarily through the induction of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white adipose tissue, promoting thermogenesis and fat oxidation. This mechanism converts white adipocytes into beige-like cells capable of heat production, thereby reducing fat accumulation and body weight gain in preclinical models.^[47] Clinical trials from 2008 to 2023 support these findings to a limited extent, with supplementation at 2-4 mg/day alongside dietary intervention leading to modest reductions in body weight (1-3 kg), decreased body mass index, and lower fat mass in small groups of obese individuals over 12-16 weeks.^[48]^[49] For instance, a double-blind study showed that 3 mg/day significantly lowered body weight and fat mass compared to placebo, highlighting fucoxanthin's potential as an adjunct to lifestyle modifications for obesity management.^[49] In antidiabetic applications, fucoxanthin enhances insulin sensitivity by modulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), which regulates glucose uptake and lipid metabolism in adipose and hepatic tissues. Animal models of type 2 diabetes exhibit reduced blood glucose levels and improved insulin resistance following fucoxanthin treatment, attributed to downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of insulin signaling pathways.^[50] A 2025 study demonstrates its hepatoprotective role, where fucoxanthin mitigates liver damage and fibrosis in mice exposed to hepatotoxins like carbon tetrachloride by alleviating oxidative stress.^[51] Fucoxanthin's anticancer properties involve induction of apoptosis in various cancer cells, with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) typically ranging from 10-50 μM in vitro. This effect is mediated by cell cycle arrest and activation of caspase-dependent pathways, selectively targeting malignant cells while sparing normal ones.^[52] Additionally, it inhibits metastasis by downregulating matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), a key enzyme in extracellular matrix degradation and tumor invasion, as demonstrated in cancer models.^[53] Epidemiological evidence links higher seaweed consumption, rich in fucoxanthin, to lower cancer incidence; populations in Japan and Korea, with daily intake, show reduced rates of breast and colorectal cancers compared to Western cohorts.^[54] Recent 2025 research on nano-formulations, such as solid lipid nanoparticles encapsulating fucoxanthin, has shown enhanced bioavailability and efficacy in obesity and cancer models. These delivery systems improve solubility and targeted release, amplifying thermogenic and antiproliferative effects while overcoming limitations of free fucoxanthin.^[55] Overall, while preclinical evidence is promising, the scarcity of large-scale human trials underscores the need for further clinical validation of these benefits.

Safety and Applications

Toxicity and Side Effects

Fucoxanthin exhibits low acute toxicity in animal models, with an LD50 exceeding 2000 mg/kg body weight in rodents, indicating no significant adverse effects or mortality at doses up to this level.^[1]^[56] Additionally, genotoxicity assessments, including the Ames test and micronucleus assay, have shown no mutagenic potential.^[57] In chronic toxicity studies, repeated oral administration of fucoxanthin at doses up to 1000 mg/kg body weight for 30 days in mice resulted in no mortality, behavioral changes, or histopathological abnormalities.^[56] Human clinical trials have demonstrated safety at daily doses up to 15 mg, with no serious adverse events reported; however, mild gastrointestinal upset, such as nausea or diarrhea, occurs rarely at higher doses exceeding 30 mg per day.^[58]^[2] Fucoxanthin may interact with anticoagulant medications due to the vitamin K content in its algal sources, potentially reducing the efficacy of drugs like warfarin.^[59] It is contraindicated for individuals with iodine allergies, as brown algae sources are rich in iodine, which could trigger hypersensitivity reactions.^[60] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status to certain extracts from brown algae, including Fucus vesiculosus, which contain fucoxanthin, for use in food products.^[61]

Commercial and Therapeutic Uses

Fucoxanthin is primarily extracted from brown algae such as Undaria pinnatifida using solvent-based methods or supercritical fluid extraction to achieve commercial viability. Solvent extraction commonly employs ethanol, which effectively dissolves the lipophilic carotenoid but may introduce environmental concerns due to solvent residues. Supercritical CO2 extraction, often enhanced with ethanol as a co-solvent, offers a greener alternative by operating under high pressure (20–40 MPa) and moderate temperatures (40–70°C), yielding up to 994.53 μg/g dry weight from raw macroalgae without prior drying or cell disruption. Optimized conditions, such as 6000 psi, 50°C, and 3.125 ml ethanol entrainer, can produce extracts with fucoxanthin purity reaching 22.09 mg/g (approximately 2.2%). These methods typically result in extracts with 1–5% fucoxanthin purity, depending on algal source and processing parameters. Commercially, fucoxanthin is formulated into dietary supplements, often as capsules containing 5–10 mg per dose for convenient daily intake. It also appears in functional foods, such as fortified wakame seaweed products blended with brown seaweed extracts to enhance nutritional profiles. In cosmeceuticals, fucoxanthin is incorporated into topical formulations targeting anti-aging effects, including reduction of wrinkles and hyperpigmentation through free radical scavenging. Therapeutically, fucoxanthin shows promise in obesity management, with human clinical trials demonstrating its potential to aid weight reduction in mildly obese adults when administered at doses around 4.4 mg/day over 12 weeks. As of 2024, ongoing studies continue to evaluate its efficacy in improving body composition and metabolic parameters in overweight individuals. Patents for advanced delivery systems, such as nano-sized fine powders using beta-cyclodextrin encapsulation (average particle size ≤1 μm), aim to improve bioavailability and stability for therapeutic applications. The global fucoxanthin market, valued at approximately USD 220 million in 2024, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5%, driven by rising demand for natural nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals. Asia-Pacific dominates production and consumption, accounting for nearly 49% of the market share, with key manufacturing hubs in Japan and China fueling exports and innovation in algae-derived products.

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Fucoxanthin is widely adopted by phytoplankton species as a main light-harvesting pigment, in contrast to land plants that primarily employ chlorophylls.
[26]
Photosynthetic Pigments in Diatoms - PMC - PubMed Central - NIH
Sep 16, 2015 · In this review, we summarize current knowledge on diatom photosynthetic pigments complemented by some new insights regarding their physico-chemical properties.
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Factors determining the fluorescence yield of fucoxanthin ...
This conversion correlates with the built-up of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), which is far more pronounced than the quenching seen in higher plants [13].
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Photoinhibition and Photoprotective Responses of a Brown Marine ...
Feb 2, 2023 · Plants and brown algae avoid photoinhibition (decline in photosystem II efficiency, Fv/Fm) caused by excess light energy and oxidative stress ...
[29]
Gastrointestinal Bioaccessibility and Colonic Fermentation of ...
May 13, 2019 · The final fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol bioaccessibilities were 11.4 and 21.3%, respectively, indicating that about 2/3 of fucoxanthin that ...
[30]
Pharmacokinetics of fucoxanthinol in human plasma after the oral ...
However, there is no information about the pharmacokinetics of fucoxanthinol in human subjects. In the present study, eighteen human volunteers were orally ...
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Pharmacokinetics of fucoxanthinol in human plasma after the oral ...
Sep 16, 2011 · However, there is no information about the pharmacokinetics of fucoxanthinol in human subjects. In the present study, eighteen human volunteers ...Missing: percentage | Show results with:percentage
[32]
[PDF] Seaweed Carotenoid Fucoxanthin as Functional Food.
A daily dosage of the extract, equivalent to 0.5–1.0 mg pure fucoxanthin/ day, was found to have a significant effect on blood serum parameters related to ...
[33]
The distribution and accumulation of fucoxanthin and its metabolites ...
Jan 28, 2009 · These results demonstrate that dietary fucoxanthin accumulates in the heart and liver as fucoxanthinol and in adipose tissue as amarouciaxanthin A.
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Fucoxanthin: A Promising Phytochemical on Diverse ... - Frontiers
... Englert et al. (1990) determined the complete chiral structure of FX. The remarkable pharmacological activities of FX are related to its unique molecular ...
[35]
The distribution and accumulation of fucoxanthin and its metabolites ...
Jan 28, 2009 · These results demonstrate that dietary fucoxanthin accumulates in the heart and liver as fucoxanthinol and in adipose tissue as ...Missing: excretion feces urine
[36]
https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/british-journal-of-nutrition/article/pharmacokinetics-of-fucoxanthinol-in-human-plasma-after-the-oral-administration-of-kombu-extract/AF19B3FC6AF75828166B94887ED757EB
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Fucoxanthin Enhances the Level of Reduced Glutathione via the ...
In the present study, we examined whether fucoxanthin could increase the level of GSH by inducing GCLC and GSS expression via the Akt/Nrf2 pathway. 2. Results.
[38]
Fucoxanthin Attenuates Free Fatty Acid-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty ...
Mar 25, 2022 · Meanwhile, fucoxanthin increased SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT activities and restored the expression of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant pathway-related ...
[39]
Fucoxanthin inhibits the inflammatory response by suppressing the ...
Dec 15, 2010 · Collectively, the results of this study demonstrate that FX reduces the levels of pro-inflammatory mediators including NO, PGE₂, IL-1β, TNF-α, ...
[40]
The Role of Fucoxanthin in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease - MDPI
Fucoxanthin supplementation successfully suppressed IL-1β, TNF-α, COX-2, and iNOS in an HFD mouse model [79]. It also suppressed pro-inflammatory factors such ...
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Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Effects of Fucoxanthin and Its ...
Jun 14, 2024 · The carotenoids fucoxanthin and fucoxanthinol improved the redox status of SH-SY5Y cells by reducing ROS formation and increasing GSH levels, ...
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Comparative effect of fucoxanthin and vitamin C on oxidative and ...
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of FUCO alone or combined with vitamin C on different features of lymphocyte function related to ROS/RNS ...Missing: CE | Show results with:CE
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Nutraceutical Effects of Fucoxanthin for Obesity and Diabetes Therapy
Fucoxanthin, a specific carotenoid in brown algae, has garnered much attention for its anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects attributable to a unique mechanism ...<|separator|>
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Anti-Obesity Activity of the Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin - PMC
Apr 13, 2015 · Fucoxanthin might alter plasma leptin level in order to achieve the anti-obesity action. Many previous studies reported that leptin secretions ...
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[PDF] Seaweed fucoxanthin supplementation improves obesity ...
Apr 30, 2017 · In light of this background, we conducted clinical trial to assess the effects of fucoxanthin on weight and fat accumulation in obese Japanese ...
[46]
Anti-Obesity Activity of the Marine Carotenoid Fucoxanthin - MDPI
One of the keys to success could be the induction of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) and the regulation of cytokine ...
[47]
Fucoxanthin Ameliorates Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Liver ...
Jul 10, 2025 · Fucoxanthin can ameliorate CCl4‐induced liver fibrosis in mice. Fucoxanthin can mitigate hepatic oxidative stress and ferroptosis in mice.
[48]
Fucoxanthin induces apoptosis and reverses epithelial ...
Oct 3, 2022 · Fucoxanthin also has been shown that it can promote apoptosis in lung cancer [16], colorectal cancer [17], breast cancer [18], liver cancer [19] ...
[49]
Fucoxanthin Inhibits the Proliferation and Metastasis of Human ...
The anticancer (e.g., anti-metastatic and pro-apoptotic) effects of fucoxanthin have been demonstrated in various cancer cell lines, including lung, colon, ...Missing: IC50 | Show results with:IC50
[50]
The consumption of seaweed as a protective factor in the etiology of ...
Daily consumption of seaweed has been proposed as a factor in explaining lower postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) incidence and mortality rates in Japan.
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Fucoxanthin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Exert Potent ...
Fucoxanthin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Exert Potent Therapeutic Efficacy in Combating High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity in Mice. Int J Mol Sci. 2025 May ...Missing: nanoformulations | Show results with:nanoformulations
[52]
Single and repeated oral dose toxicity study of fucoxanthin (FX), a ...
In a single dose study, FX purified from seaweed was orally administered to male and female ICR mice at doses of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg. In a repeated doses ...Missing: acute LD50 Ames
[53]
Toxicological assessment of Xanthigen® nutraceutical extract ... - NIH
The Ames test, micronucleus assay and oral dose toxicity studies performed in rat and mice have demonstrated that fucoxanthin has no mutagenic (dosage ...
[54]
Health benefits of fucoxanthin in the prevention of chronic diseases
Fucoxanthin has potential health benefits including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective effects, and may prevent ...<|separator|>
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Seaweed Uses, Benefits & Dosage - Drugs.com
Sep 22, 2025 · This was thought to be caused by the high vitamin K content of the seaweed. Seaweed may diminish the anticoagulant effect of vitamin K ...
[56]
Fucus Vesiculosus - Uses, Side Effects, and More - WebMD
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with Fucus Vesiculosus. Fucus vesiculosus might slow blood clotting. Taking ...Missing: allergy | Show results with:allergy
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[PDF] GRAS Notice 661, Fucus vesiculosus concentrate - FDA
Aug 1, 2016 · the changes in blood and urine parameters and also the alteration in abdominal and fecal states. The test foods composed of 4.05 g fucoidan ...
[58]
Safety of an ethanolic extract of the dried biomass of the microalga ...
Jul 12, 2023 · The applicant proposed to use the NF as a food supplement at the use level of 437 mg/day, with the target population being adults, excluding ...Missing: GRAS FDA 5