Abstract: The series of marine derived oligosaccharides, alginate oligosaccharides, fucose oligosaccharides and chitosan oligosaccharide were collected to analyze their protective effect of bacteria on the subject to ultraviolet radiation. Combined with the characteristic UV absorption spectra and free radical scavenging capacity, the study of marine oligosaccharides activity mechanism of anti-ultraviolet radiation was preliminary conducted. The results showed that marine derived oligosaccharides had anti-ultraviolet radiation abilities in varying degrees, having a positive correlation with the concentration of oligosaccharides. The order of three oligosaccharides anti-radiation effect is alginate oligosaccharides>chitosan oligosaccharide>fucose oligosaccharides. Combined with the structure-activity relationship studies, we could primarily conclude that the effect of ultraviolet absorption of specific carbohydrates chains’ unsaturated bond played a leading role in the process of UV radiation. In another aspect, the free radical scavenging ability of carbohydrates chain showed some supporting role during the UV process.

Key words: marine derived oligosaccharide, anti-ultraviolet radiation, ultraviolet absorption, radical scavenging