Biological activities and potential industrial applications of fucose rich sulfated polysaccharides and fucoidans isolated from brown seaweeds: A review

Brown seaweeds are rich in sulfated polysaccharides that could potentially be exploited as functional ingredients for human health. Over the years, sulfated polysaccharides with potential pharmacological, nutraceutical, functional food and cosmeceutical properties have been isolated from brown seaweeds. In the present review, attempts have been made to discuss the functional properties of brown algal fucoidans and fucose rich sulfated polysaccharides. Anticoagulant, antithrombotic, immunomodulation, anticancer and anti-proliferative activities are the most extensively studied biological activities of fucoidans. The profound functional properties of fucoidans have proven to be invaluable and could be employed in the potential industrial applications as natural functional ingredients to obtain possible health benefits. For such applications, the reviewed literature in this communication may provide valuable basic information.