Functional properties of brown algal sulfated polysaccharides, fucoidans.

Marine algae are potentially prolific sources of highly bioactive components that might represent useful leads in the development of new pharmaceutical agents and functional foods. This chapter discusses the current literature on biological activities of sulfated polysaccharides, fucoidans, from brown seaweeds. The profound functional properties of fucoidans could be employed in pharmaceutical, nutraceutical functional food, and cosmeceutical applications. Therefore, the chapter deals with the functional properties of the sulfated polysaccharides, fucoidans, with reference to its industrial applications as a functional ingredient.