Applications of Algal Polysaccharides and Derivatives in Therapeutic and Agricultural Fields

Abstract

Background: Recently, researchers have given more and more consideration to natural polysaccharides thanks to their huge properties such as stability, biodegradability and biocompatibility for food and therapeutics applications. Methods: a number of enzymatic and chemical processes were performed to generate bioactive molecules, such as low molecular weight fractions and oligosaccharides derivatives from algal polysaccharides. Results: These considerable characteristics allow algal polysaccharides and their derivatives such as low molecular weight polymers and oligosaccharides structures to have great potential to be used in lots of domains, such as pharmaceutics and agriculture etc. Conclusion: The present review describes the mains polysaccharides structures from Algae and focuses on the currents agricultural (fertilizer, bio-elicitor, stimulators, signaling molecules and activators) and pharmaceutical (wound dressing, tissues engineering and drugs delivery) applications by using polysaccharides and/or their oligosaccharides derivatives obtained by chemical, physical and enzymatic processes.