Alginate derived functional oligosaccharides: Recent developments, barriers, and future outlooks

Alginate is a biopolymer used extensively in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) derived from alginate exhibit superior biological activities and therapeutic potential. Alginate lyases with characteristic substrate specificity can facilitate the production of a broad array of AOS with precise structure and functionality. By adopting innovative analytical tools in conjunction with focused clinical studies, the structure-bioactivity relationship of a number of AOS has been brought to light. This review covers fundamental aspects and recent developments in AOS research. Enzymatic and microbial processes involved in AOS production from brown algae and sequential steps involved in AOS structure elucidation are outlined. Biological mechanisms underlying the health benefits of AOS and their potential industrial and therapeutic applications are elaborated. Withal, various challenges in AOS research are traced out, and future directions, specifically on recombinant systems for AOS preparation, are delineated to further widen the horizon of these exceptional oligosaccharides.

Automated summary

Alginate is a commonly used biopolymer in various industries, with alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) showing promising biological activities and therapeutic potential. Enzymes and microbial processes play a role in the production of AOS from brown algae, with ongoing research exploring the structure-activity relationship of different AOS.