Functional modification mediated value addition of seaweed polysaccharides – a perspective

Abstract

A diverse array of functionally modified seaweed polysaccharide derivatives were prepared, which would be described in this account principally based on the reports published by us during the last decade. The modification reactions involved esterification, -C-N-bond formation and amidation reactions engaging the C-6 carbon of one of the repeating pyranose moieties of the polysaccharides of seaweed species growing in Indian waters, occasionally employing grafting and crosslinking reactions. The new functional properties that were imparted on the modified polysaccharides as a result, included fluorogenicity, thixotropicity, pH-responsiveness and gelling/swelling/metal ion absorbing properties. Of these, some properties were targeted, some were obtained fortuitously, and the latter included thixotropicity and photosensitizer activity. This article showcases various polysaccharide based new materials and the value added seaweed biomass, presenting potential opportunities in this area of research.

Seaweed Polysaccharide Based Products and Materials: An Assessment on Their Production from a Sustainability Point of View

“…Apart from the use of agar in the food and beverage industries, this phycocolloid is also used for bioengineering and biomedical applications as a gelling agent. Chemically 1,3-β- D -galactose and 1,4-α- L -3,6-anhydrogalactose are the basic repeating unit of agar or agarose [ 39 ] ( Figure 1 ).…”

Protein‐Mimicking Functions of Nano‐Size Monoamido Amino Acids Derived from Polysaccharides of Marine Origin

“…Agarose forms a strong hydrogel in water in a concentration as low as 1 g in 100 g of water, whereas alginic acid forms a stout hydrogel in the presence mono/divalent metal ions, for example, K + and Ca 2+ in similar concentration. As part of a continuing research program in our laboratory on value addition of seaweed, several seaweed polysaccharides were modified for generating potentially high value new functional materials . A contextual background on the chemicals and compounds involved in this study is given below.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that seaweed polysaccharides including agarose, a linear polymer of 1,3‐linked d ‐galactopyranose and 1,4‐linked 3,6‐anhydro‐ l ‐glactopyranose, can be variously derivatized imparting new properties, for example, protein‐like behavior, pH‐responsive, fluorogenic, self‐assembled nano‐material properties as well as for its use in smart drug delivery applications . Present study deals with three monoamido amino acids based on agarose derivatives of 1,6‐hexamethylene‐ and 1,4‐cyclohexyl diamines resembling glycoconjugates as well as alginic acid amide of ethylenediamine.…”

Zinc cation supported on carrageenan magnetic nanoparticles: A novel, green and efficient catalytic system for one‐pot three‐component synthesis of quinoline derivatives

“…[29][30][31] In this line, some studies have recently been reported that used various coatings such as dextran, [32,33] cyclodextrin, [34,35] alginate, [36,37] chitosan [38] and starch. [39][40][41][42][43] Actually, without modification of magnetic nanoparticles, aggregation reduces their active surfaces and catalytic activities. Herein, polysaccharides, as natural and biological polymers, have been used as beneficial agents for controlling particle size and preventing agglomeration of magnetic nanoparticles.…”

“…Coating of magnetic nanoparticles using various modifications with organic, inorganic or polymeric materials is an appropriate approach for preventing their agglomeration . In this line, some studies have recently been reported that used various coatings such as dextran, cyclodextrin, alginate, chitosan and starch . Actually, without modification of magnetic nanoparticles, aggregation reduces their active surfaces and catalytic activities.…”