Abstract
The scientific community continue to explore novel bioactive molecules by investigating natural origins; microalgae are photosynthetic organisms considered as a sustainable resource to use in many fields. They present a high diversity in species and richness in terms of attractive bio-compounds. The aim of this review is to (1) provide first an overview of current issues related to oxidative stress, and propose a natural metabolite derived from eukaryotic and prokaryotic microalgae; ‘polysaccharides’ as a powerful antioxidant agent, then, (2) organize the available data on the antioxidant potential of polysaccharides derived from the main microalgal groups (red microalgae, green microalgae, and cyanobacteria) and especially highlighted the key species of each group (Porphyridium sp., Chlorella sp., and Arthrospira sp., respectively), meanwhile, (3) we described the chemical composition of polysaccharides from each class, and (4) we cite briefly the most factors affecting the antioxidant activity of these molecules. Finally, we explored the major challenges and gaps found to require more investigation.
Article Highlights
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Human diseases associated with oxidation are stimulating the search for new drugs, particularly from marine sources,
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Polysaccharides from microalgae are natural biomolecules exhibiting high antioxidant potential,
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Potent microalgal species producing polysaccharides are being more investigated in the biotechnological field,
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Biodiversity in microalgae leads to the production of various polysaccharides, mainly in terms of composition and structure, which enhance the antioxidant activity,
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Several factors influence the antioxidant potential of microalgae’s polysaccharides.
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Data availability
The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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Guehaz, K., Boual, Z., Abdou, I. et al. Microalgae’s polysaccharides, are they potent antioxidants? Critical review. Arch Microbiol 206, 14 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-023-03738-y
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-023-03738-y