Comprehensive review in moisture retention mechanism of polysaccharides from algae, plants, bacteria and fungus

Polysaccharides have attracted much attention due to their significant bio-activities. This review aims to summarize the main polysaccharides sources of related polysaccharides from algae, plants, fungus, and bacteria, and give insights into the structure-activity relationship between the moisture retention and structural characteristics of polysaccharides. The molecular weight, functional groups, polysaccharide modifications and apparent structure of polysaccharides are closely related to the moisturizing properties of polysaccharides in terms of moisturizing conformation. Based on recent moisturizing pieces of evidence, we propose a new framework focusing on the moisturizing intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Polysaccharides molecular weight has different effects on moisturizing property. The extrinsic moisturization is mainly via the formation of hydrogen bonds between polysaccharides, the intrinsic moisturizing is mainly by regulating the production of some tight junction proteins. Accordingly, this review could further open the door for the production and application of polysaccharides as novel moisturizing agents in the cosmetic field. (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of King Saud University.

Automated summary

This review summarizes the main sources and structural characteristics of polysaccharides and discusses the moisturizing properties of polysaccharides and their intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms. Based on recent evidence, a new framework for moisturizing mechanisms is proposed, and the effects of polysaccharide molecular weight on moisturizing properties are explored.