Natural Polysaccharides as Sustainable Biomaterials: Emerging Applications of Alginate and Hyaluronic Acid in Food and Pharmaceutical Industries

The increasing demand for sustainable, biocompatible, and environmentally friendly materials has intensified research interest in naturally derived polysaccharides for industrial and biomedical applications. Among these biopolymers, alginate and hyaluronic acid have gained significant attention due to their remarkable physicochemical properties, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and versatile functional characteristics. This paper reviews the emerging roles of alginate and hyaluronic acid as sustainable biomaterials in the food and pharmaceutical industries, with emphasis on their extraction, structural properties, modification techniques, and industrial applications. Alginate, primarily obtained from brown algae, exhibits excellent gel-forming and encapsulation abilities, making it valuable in food preservation, edible coatings, controlled drug delivery, and tissue engineering. Hyaluronic acid, naturally present in animal connective tissues and microbial sources, possesses exceptional moisture retention, viscoelasticity, and biocompatibility, which support its growing utilization in wound healing, cosmetic formulations, ophthalmic preparations, and targeted therapeutic systems. Recent advances in green extraction technologies, nano-formulation, and polymer blending have further expanded the functional applications of these biomaterials. The study also highlights the economic and environmental benefits associated with the replacement of synthetic polymers by natural polysaccharides in industrial processes. Despite their enormous potential, challenges such as production cost, stability, purification efficiency, and large-scale commercialization remain major concerns requiring further scientific attention. The integration of sustainable extraction methods, biotechnology, and advanced material engineering is expected to enhance the industrial competitiveness of alginate and hyaluronic acid in the global bioeconomy. This presentation demonstrates that natural polysaccharides represent promising alternatives for the development of safer, sustainable, and multifunctional biomaterials capable of addressing current challenges in food preservation, drug delivery, and biomedical innovation