Brown Seaweed Polysaccharides: A Roadmap as Biomolecules

Abstract

Marine macroalgae are the source of a wide range of compounds that have demonstrated a myriad of potential uses. Sulfated and non-sulfated polysaccharides are some of the major compounds found in these organisms, and they could be applied in many industries due to their diverse potentials. Seaweeds are a valuable source of sulfated polysaccharides, which are distinctive characteristics between taxonomic groups. For instance, brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) are known to contain alginate, fucoidan, laminarin, and ascophyllan. Sulfated carbohydrates are raising interest among the scientific community due to their beneficial properties. This chapter discusses these brown seaweed polysaccharides from their discovery, chemical structure, methodologies of extraction to the most important areas in the research, and also possible applications in several industries.