Finding a deadly substance for “HIV” in red algae

Researchers have found that Pacific red algae contain the sugars carrageenan, which can bind to HIV particles and prevent it from entering immune cells.
The research results have been published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Irina Ermak, one of the study’s authors, and senior researcher at the Pacific Institute of Organic Chemistry, noted that the isolated polysaccharides have no toxicity.
Besides, they have high antiviral activity at low concentrations.
The properties of carrageenan and its low molecular weight derivatives offer great potential as antiviral agents, particularly against HIV.

The substance is found in the algae Tichocarpus crinitus, which is often found at the bottom of Peter the Great Bay near Vladivostok.

Carrageenan is complex carbohydrate molecules with sulfur atoms inside.
Red algae produce high amounts of carrageenan.