Preparation of New Sargassum fusiforme Polysaccharide Long-Chain Alkyl Group Nanomicelles and Their Antiviral Properties against ALV-J

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) is an immunosuppressive virus which has caused heavy losses to the poultry breeding industry. Currently, there is no effective medicine to treat this virus. In our previous experiments, the low-molecular-weight Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharide (SFP) was proven to possess antiviral activity against ALV-J, but its function was limited to the virus adsorption stage. In order to improve the antiviral activity of the SFP, in this study, three new SFP long-chain alkyl group nanomicelles (SFP-C12M, SFP-C14M and SFP-C16M) were prepared. The nanomicelles were characterized according to their physical and chemical properties. The nanomicelles were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index, critical micelle concentration and morphology. The results showed the particle sizes of the three nanomicelles were all approximately 200 nm and SFP-C14M and SFP-C16M were more stable than SFP-C12M. The newly prepared nanomicelles exhibited a better anti-ALV-J activity than the SFP, with SFP-C16M exhibiting the best antiviral effects in both the virus adsorption stage and the replication stage. The results of the giant unilamellar vesicle exposure experiment demonstrated that the new virucidal effect of the nanomicelles might be caused by damage to the phospholipid membrane of ALV-J. This study provides a potential idea for ALV-J prevention and development of other antiviral drugs.