Red algae could help fight food allergies

Seaweed has long been a staple food in many Asian countries and has recently caught on as a snack food.

Edible algae that fall in the category of seaweed, such as Gracilaria lemaneiformis, are low-calorie and packed with nutrients. In addition, now scientists have found that a type of commercial red algae could help counteract food allergies.

Food allergies are a major global health issue that can be life threatening in some cases. One 2014 study by researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital estimates that the condition affects about 8 percent of children and 5 percent of adults worldwide. In people who are allergic, certain compounds in food trigger a cascade of immune system reactions that lead to symptoms such as hives, wheezing and dizziness – and in the worst cases, anaphylactic shock.

Polysaccharides from G. lemaneiformis

Previous research has suggested that certain seaweed varieties contain polysaccharides with anti-asthmatic and anti-allergy effects. But no one had investigated whether similar molecules in G. lemaneiformis, a commercial variety of red algae, might have similar properties. Guang-Ming Liu from Jimei University and colleagues wanted to find out.

The researchers isolated polysaccharides from G. lemaneiformis and fed them to a group of mice sensitive to tropomyosin, a protein that is a major shellfish allergen. Another group of mice, also sensitive to tropomyosin, did not get the polysaccharides. After both groups were given the allergen, allergy symptoms in the treated mice were reduced compared to the untreated animals. Further studying polysaccharides from G. lemaneiformis could help lead to a better understanding of food allergies and their prevention, the researchers say.