Advancements in the Extraction, Characterization, and Bioactive Potential of Laminaran: A Review.

Laminaran, a bioactive β-glucan derived from brown algae, has garnered significant attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and mucosal protective effects. Despite promising research highlighting its potential applications in functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals, the commercial utilization of laminaran remains limited, primarily due to challenges in extraction efficiency, structural complexity, and a lack of standardized methodologies. This review critically examines recent advancements in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological evaluation of laminaran. Both conventional and emerging extraction methods-including ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and enzymatic techniques-are evaluated for their efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. Analytical tools, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry, are discussed for their roles in elucidating key structural features, such as molecular weight, degree of polymerization, and glycosidic linkage patterns, which are closely tied to laminaran's biological activity. Innovative extraction technologies have improved yield and purity, while structural insights have deepened the understanding of structure-function relationships. Interdisciplinary collaboration will be critical to advance laminaran from a marine-derived polysaccharide to a commercially viable bioactive compound for health, nutrition, and biomaterial applications.