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Polysaccharides
Special Issues
Seaweed Polysaccharides: Innovations in Isolation, Characterization, Chemical Modification and Processing
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Seaweed Polysaccharides: Innovations in Isolation, Characterization, Chemical Modification and Processing

A special issue of Polysaccharides (ISSN 2673-4176).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2025 | Viewed by 3955

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Martin Gericke

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Macromolecular Chemistry, Humboldtstr. 10 , 07743 Jena, Germany
Interests: polysaccharide chemistry; polysaccharide derivatives; biomaterials; nanomaterials; structure characterization; hydrogels

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Seaweed biomass has been used for centuries, primarily in the food sector. In recent years, it has gained increasing attention as a renewable feedstock for producing high-value and sustainable products. Polysaccharides are among the major components that can be extracted from marine algae. These seaweed polysaccharides (SWPSs) are uniquely different from plant-based polysaccharides like cellulose and starch. They are highly diverse in both their molecular structure and range of applications, spanning from compounds with high pharmaceutical activities and nutritional value to the preparation of innovative biomaterials and bioplastics.

This Special Issue is dedicated to innovations in the area of SWPSs, with a special focus on the following aspects: (i) new methods for the extraction of SWPSs from algae biomass, (ii) advanced fractionation and characterization of SWPSs as well as structure–property–relationship studies, (iii) chemical modification of SWPSs into functional derivatives, (iv) conversion of SWPS biomass into low-molecular-weight building block chemicals, (v) fabrication of SWPS-based biomaterials, and (vi) application studies focused on SWPSs and SWPS-based derivatives and materials. Researchers are invited to submit original work and review articles that illustrate recent advances in SWPS research.

Dr. Martin Gericke
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polysaccharides is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • seaweeds
  • algae
  • characterization
  • extraction
  • polysaccharide derivatives
  • bioactive compounds
  • bioplastics
  • biomaterials

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 26086 KiB  
Article
Effects of Fucoidan and Fucoidan Oligosaccharides in Growth and Quorum Sensing Mediated Virulence Factor of Campylobacter Jejuni
by Sharon Palafox Félix, Giovanna Sandoval Larios, Rosina Cabrera, Alfonso García-Galaz, José Ángel Huerta-Ocampo, Ana María Guzmán-Partida, Rosa Idalia Armenta Corral, Jose Andrei Sarabia-Sainz and Gabriela Ramos Clamont Montfort
Polysaccharides 2025, 6(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6020024 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 300
Abstract
Fucoidan is a sulfated fucan marine polysaccharide with potential therapeutic applications, including antibacterial activity and the control of virulence factors associated with quorum sensing. This study investigates the bioactivity of fucoidan derived from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum, as well as their [...] Read more.
Fucoidan is a sulfated fucan marine polysaccharide with potential therapeutic applications, including antibacterial activity and the control of virulence factors associated with quorum sensing. This study investigates the bioactivity of fucoidan derived from the brown algae Ascophyllum nodosum, as well as their fucoidan oligosaccharides (OFuc; <3 kDa), on the growth, motility, biofilm formation, and adhesion of Campylobacter jejuni, the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. The results showed that fucoidan decreased the growth rate of C. jejuni at concentrations greater than 25 µg/mL, while no effect was observed with different concentrations (5–100 µg/mL) of OFuc. Neither compound affected bacterial motility. Both fucoidan and OFuc inhibited abiotic biofilm formation and diminished pathogen adhesion in a concentration-dependent manner. The study also found that C. jejuni recognized the fucoidan molecule through an enzyme-like lectin assay (ELLA) showing a lectin-like adhesin-carbohydrate recognition. Overall, these results suggest the potential of fucoidan from A. nodosum for controlling abiotic biofilm formation in the food industry, and they open new avenues for research into the use of fucoidan as a molecule aimed at blocking infections caused by C. jejuni. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweed Polysaccharides: Innovations in Isolation, Characterization, Chemical Modification and Processing)
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11 pages, 4011 KiB  
Article
Enhancing the Properties of Sodium Alginate with a Glycerol–Silicate Plasticizer
by Anthony Fasulo, Corradina Towie, Lucie Mouchiroud, Hamza Malik, Daniel Foucher and Guerino Sacripante
Polysaccharides 2025, 6(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6010020 - 7 Mar 2025
Viewed by 787
Abstract
The impact of a glycerol–silicate (GS) plasticizer on the mechanical, thermal and hydrophobic properties pertaining to sodium alginate (NaAlg) and calcium alginate (CaAlg) films were investigated. Spectroscopic and physio-chemical analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of the GS incorporation. The results determine [...] Read more.
The impact of a glycerol–silicate (GS) plasticizer on the mechanical, thermal and hydrophobic properties pertaining to sodium alginate (NaAlg) and calcium alginate (CaAlg) films were investigated. Spectroscopic and physio-chemical analysis were conducted to evaluate the effects of the GS incorporation. The results determine that both NaAlg and CaAlg films exhibited poor mechanical properties which only improved by increasing the GS loading (up to 25 wt%), after which it declined. CaAlg exhibited the highest tensile strength after 25 wt% GS loading was incorporated. The elongation at break varied, with NaAlg films showing a ~10-fold increase, while the CaAlg films remained relatively unchanged. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that GS reduced the onset decomposition temperature of NaAlg films, whereas CaAlg films maintained a greater onset decomposition temperature. The advancing contact angle measurements indicated a nearly linear decrease (from 54° to 39°) in hydrophobicity for the NaAlg films while the hydrophobicity for CaAlg films initially increased from 65° to 74°, and then became more hydrophilic with greater GS loading. These findings highlight the potential of GS plasticization to enhance and tailor alginate film properties, providing insights into the development of sustainable bioplastics with improved mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweed Polysaccharides: Innovations in Isolation, Characterization, Chemical Modification and Processing)
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14 pages, 5302 KiB  
Article
Metal–Phenolic Network-Loaded Sodium Alginate-Based Antibacterial and Antioxidant Films Incorporated with Geranium Essential Oil
by Yanming Ren, Shuifang Mao, Xingqian Ye and Jinhu Tian
Polysaccharides 2025, 6(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides6010015 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 398
Abstract
Owing to its natural degradability and excellent film-forming characteristics, sodium alginate (SA) is gaining growing popularity in the field of food packaging. However, the insufficient antioxidant and antibacterial properties hinder its application. In the current research, protocatechuic acid (PCA) and Fe3+ were [...] Read more.
Owing to its natural degradability and excellent film-forming characteristics, sodium alginate (SA) is gaining growing popularity in the field of food packaging. However, the insufficient antioxidant and antibacterial properties hinder its application. In the current research, protocatechuic acid (PCA) and Fe3+ were utilized to fabricate a metal polyphenol network structure. Subsequently, geranium essential oil emulsion (GEOE) was incorporated into the SA matrix, and SA-based films were prepared through the flat-sheet casting method. The impacts of PCA/Fe and various concentrations of GEOE on the physical, structural, as well as functional characteristics of SA-based films were comprehensively examined. The thickness of the prepared SA-based films was between 30 and 50 μm. The results showed that PCA/Fe, GEOE, and SA exhibited good biocompatibility, and the formed films were uniform. The incorporation of PCA/Fe and GEOE significantly improved the UV blocking ability, thermal stability, and antibacterial activity of SA-based films. In addition, PCA/Fe and GEOE enhanced the total antioxidant capacity of SA-based films from 3.5% to 88%. This research could provide some theoretical basis for the utilization of metal polyphenol networks and natural essential oils within the realm of food active packaging films. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweed Polysaccharides: Innovations in Isolation, Characterization, Chemical Modification and Processing)
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13 pages, 2740 KiB  
Article
Antihypertensive Amaranth Protein Hydrolysates Encapsulation in Alginate/Pectin Beads: Influence on Bioactive Properties upon In Vitro Digestion
by Dora Elisa Cruz-Casas, Rodolfo Ramos-González, Lilia Arely Prado-Barragán, Cristóbal N. Aguilar, Raúl Rodríguez-Herrera, Anna Iliná, Sandra Cecilia Esparza-González and Adriana Carolina Flores-Gallegos
Polysaccharides 2024, 5(3), 450-462; https://doi.org/10.3390/polysaccharides5030028 - 5 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1700
Abstract
Protein hydrolysates containing bioactive peptides have emerged as therapeutic agents. However, these peptides may lose this bioactivity under gastrointestinal conditions. Encapsulation in edible biopolymers is a solution to this problem. Protein hydrolysates with ACE-I inhibitory activity, obtained previously, were encapsulated. A 1% solution [...] Read more.
Protein hydrolysates containing bioactive peptides have emerged as therapeutic agents. However, these peptides may lose this bioactivity under gastrointestinal conditions. Encapsulation in edible biopolymers is a solution to this problem. Protein hydrolysates with ACE-I inhibitory activity, obtained previously, were encapsulated. A 1% solution of the biopolymers alginate (AG) and pectin (PC) in various ratios was prepared. The beads formed were evaluated in both wet and dry states for size, roundness, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), encapsulation efficiency, and ACE-I inhibitory activity. Selected samples underwent in vitro digestion, after which peptide release and ACE-I inhibitory activity were determined. Size analysis revealed that increasing the PC content increased the bead size, with 100% PC beads showing total deformation and reduced roundness. TGA indicated that wet beads had lower thermal stability compared to dry beads. The highest encapsulation efficiency (95.57% ± 0.49) was observed with 100% AG beads. The 75% AG 25% PC beads exhibited the highest ACE-I inhibitory activity (97.97% ± 1.01). Encapsulated protein hydrolysates retained their ACE-I inhibitory activity after simulated digestion, whereas non-encapsulated hydrolysates lost their bioactivity. Encapsulation of amaranth protein hydrolysates with AG and PC thus preserves antihypertensive activity even after in vitro digestion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Seaweed Polysaccharides: Innovations in Isolation, Characterization, Chemical Modification and Processing)
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