Vol. 25, No. 3 (2026), Bio26849 https://doi.org/10.24275/rmiq/Bio26849

Sequential hydrolysis of Sargassum from the Mexican Caribbean (Sargassum fluitans and Sargassum natans) for the obtention of fermentable sugars

 

Authors

C. Ortega-Monter, J.C. Villalobos-Rocha, E. Cruz-Chávez, M.R. Ramírez-Vargas, F.R. Ramírez-Arpide, R. Álvarez-García, G. Díaz-Godínez, P.N. Olvera-Venegas, A. Téllez-Jurado

Abstract

Brown algae, such as Sargassum, contain alginates, fucoidans, laminarins, cellulose, and, in small quantities, hemicellulose and lignin; hydrolyzing these components into their basic monomers can yield various byproducts. Since 2011, the arrival of Sargassum on the Mexican Caribbean coast has caused environmental and economic impacts, especially on the tourism industry. This study evaluated the sequential physicochemical and biological hydrolysis of Sargassum to release sugars. The analyzed sample consisted of Sargassum fluitans III (78.5%), Sargassum natans I (11.2%), and S. natans VIII (9.5%). The physicochemical hydrolysis, carried out in a high-pressure reactor with sulfuric acid, produced a liquor containing 25.69% total sugars, 19.18% reducing sugars, and 1.68% polyphenols. The solid that was not hydrolyzed in the first stage was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis with a crude enzymatic extract of Panus neostrigosus and a mixture of commercial enzymes. The resulting liquor contained 22.83% total sugars, 13.78% reducing sugars, and 1.17% polyphenols. The sequential hydrolysis achieved a 69% yield; temperature, pressure, and the addition of sulfuric acid improved the release of total and reducing sugars.

Keywords

Enzymatic hydrolysis, High-pressure hydrolysis, Panus neostrigosus, Sargassum fluitans, Sargassum natans.

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