Title:Bioactive Polysaccharides from Microalgae: A Close Look at the
Biomedical Applications
Volume: 17
Issue: 4
Author(s): Mariany C. Depra, Rosangela R. Dias, Mariana M. Maroneze, Tatiele C. Nascimento, Ihana A. Severo, Leila Q. Zepka and Eduardo Jacob-Lopes*
Affiliation:
- Bioprocess Intensification Group, Federal University of Santa Maria, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
Keywords:
Algae, natural products, bioactive compounds, biological activity, sulphated polysaccharides, exopolysaccharides.
Abstract: There is a current tendency towards bioactive natural products that can be used
in different areas such as food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical. In the last decades, polysaccharides
have attracted increasing interest because of their potent nontoxic effects, therapeutic
properties, and diversified range of applications. Polysaccharides are complex and
heterogeneous macromolecules constituted of different monosaccharides and, in some cases,
of glucuronic acid and sulphate groups. Polysaccharides with biological activity can be
derived from plants, animals and microorganisms, especially microalgae. Microalgae are
considered one of the most promising sources of these compounds that have already
proved to have several important biological properties. In this sense, our objective is to
elucidate the use of bioactive polysaccharides from microalgae in biomedical applications,
emphasizing the biological activity of these compounds. Furthermore, the microalgal biomass
production systems and polysaccharides extraction methods were presented and discussed.