Mediterranean Seaweed Polysaccharides: Insight into Chemical Structures, Applications, and Structure/Application Correlations

Although extensive research has been conducted on algal polysaccharides worldwide, Mediterranean species remain comparatively understudied, despite the region's rich biodiversity and the presence of several endemic taxa with promising biotechnological potential. This review provides an overview of the major polysaccharides isolated from Mediterranean macroalgae, highlighting their structural features and bioactivities, as well as potential structure-activity relationships. Furthermore, the extraction and purification strategies used to isolate these biomolecules, ranging from conventional chemical approaches to emerging green technologies, were overlooked. Overall, the growing evidence of potent biological activities, combined with advances in sustainable extraction, underscores the significant potential of Mediterranean macroalgal polysaccharides as valuable resources unlocking new opportunities for their application in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biomedical, and biotechnology fields.