*3.6. Molecular Weight Analysis*

The average molecular weights of the fucoidans were determined using a size-exclusion HPLC column Superdex 200 (300 mm × 10 mm inner diameter (ID), GE Healthcare, Piscataway, NJ, USA) using a Shimadzu HPLC system (Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) equipped with a refractive index detector. The chromatography conditions were as follows: eluent 0.2 M NaCl; flow rate 0.4 mL/min, sample concentration 10 mg/mL; injection volume 0.15 mL; temperature 25 ◦C. The column was calibrated with dextrans of different molecular weight (5, 50, 150, and 670 kDa).
