Abstract
Marine algae have attracted a great deal of interest as excellent sources of nutrients. Polysaccharides are the main components in marine algae, hence a great deal of attention has been directed at isolation and characterization of marine algae polysaccharides because of their numerous health benefits. In this review, extraction and purification approaches and chemico-physical properties of marine algae polysaccharides (MAPs) are summarized. The biological activities, which include immunomodulatory, antitumor, antiviral, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic, are also discussed. Additionally, structure-function relationships are analyzed and summarized. MAPs’ biological activities are closely correlated with their monosaccharide composition, molecular weights, linkage types, and chain conformation. In order to promote further exploitation and utilization of polysaccharides from marine algae for functional food and pharmaceutical areas, high efficiency, and low-cost polysaccharide extraction and purification methods, quality control, structure-function activity relationships, and specific mechanisms of MAPs activation need to be extensively investigated.
Highlights
Marine algae are the most abundant resources in the ocean
Polysaccharides are a type of biomacromolecule that exist as cell wall structural components of marine algae
Polysaccharides from marine algae are often closely linked to pharmacological activities such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory [4,5]
Summary
It is logical to consider that marine algae could be a key resource containing rich source of functional metabolites such as polysaccharides, proteins, peptides, lipids, amino acids, polyphenols, and mineral salts [1]. Numerous polysaccharides isolated from marine algae have attracted great interest in functional foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic applications. Polysaccharides from marine algae are often closely linked to pharmacological activities such as anticoagulant, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory [4,5]. Polysaccharides bioactivities are closely correlated with their chemical properties such as molecular sizes, types, and ratios of constituent monosaccharides, and features of glycosidic linkages [6]. (MAPs) chemico-physical properties and biological activities are essential for successful polysaccharide application in functional foods and will help access to their multifunctional applications.
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