The potential, challenges, and prospects of the genus Spirulina polysaccharides as future multipurpose biomacromolecules

Spirulina has been widely used worldwide as a food and medicinal ingredient for centuries. Polysaccharides are major bioactive constituents of Spirulina and are of interest because of their functional properties and unlimited application potential. However, the clinical translation and market industrialization of the polysaccharides from genus Spirulina (PGS) are retarded due to the lack of a further understanding of their isolation, bioactivities, structure-activity relationships (SARs), toxicity, and, most importantly, versatile applications. Herein, we provide an overview of the extraction, purification, and structural features of PGS; meanwhile, the advances in bioactivities, SARs, mechanisms of effects, and toxicity are discussed and summarized. Furthermore, the applications, potential developments, and future research directions are scrutinized and highlighted. This review may help fill the knowledge gap between theoretical insights and practical applications and guide future research and industrial application of PGS.

Protective activities of polysaccharides from Cipangopaludina chinensis against high-fat-diet-induced atherosclerosis via regulating gut microbiota in ApoE-deficient mice

The supplementation of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from C. chinensis slows down the development of atherosclerosis caused by high-fat-diet-induced AS via regulating gut microbiota.