Fucoidans are normally found in the extracellular matrix of the cell wall in brown algae (Michel et al. Citation2010). Generally, fucoidans have been associated with ionic and osmotic regulations in the cell wall of brown algae.

Technology Overview
This review article focused on the fundamental knowledge of fucoidan as a bioactive edible polymeric material either individually or in blends with other polysaccharides. In addition, this article investigates the compatibility of fucoidan with other polymeric materials used as edible coatings and film formation, their properties, structure, composition, economic aspects, and biodegradable (environmentally friendly) functionalities as well as their application in food and medicines.

Applications & Benefits
This review article demonstrates that fucoidan is an abundantly found polysaccharide with remarkable biological properties and is a potential edible and bioactive coating and film-forming polymeric material.

Abstract：
Fucoidans are promising sulfated polysaccharides isolated from marine sources that have piqued the interest of scientists in recent years due to their widespread use as a bioactive substance. Bioactive coatings and films, unsurprisingly, have seized these substances to create novel, culinary, therapeutic, and diagnostic bioactive nanomaterials. The applications of fucoidan and its composite nanomaterials have a wide variety of food as well as pharmacological properties, including anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-thrombic, anti-coagulant, immunoregulatory, and anti-viral properties. Blends of fucoidan with other biopolymers such as chitosan, alginate, curdlan, starch, etc., have shown promising coating and film-forming capabilities. A blending of biopolymers is a recommended approach to improve their anticipated properties. This review focuses on the fundamental knowledge and current development of fucoidan, fucoidan-based composite material for bioactive coatings and films, and their biological properties. In this article, fucoidan-based edible bioactive coatings and films expressed excellent mechanical strength that can prolong the shelf-life of food products and maintain their biodegradability. Additionally, these coatings and films showed numerous applications in the biomedical field and contribute to the economy. We hope this review can deliver the theoretical basis for the development of fucoidan-based bioactive material and films.

Fucoidan-based nanomaterial and its multifunctional role for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications
Author：Muhammad Waheed Iqbal, Tahreem Riaz, Shahid Mahmood, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Faisal Manzoor, Sarmad Ahmad Qamar, Xianghui Qi
Year：2022
Source publication：Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, Volume 64, 2022 - Issue 2
Subfield Highest percentage：99%    Food Science   #2/338

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2022.2106182