A review on sources, extraction methods, properties and applications of alginate extracted from brown seaweeds

Seaweeds contain several biologically active metabolites including polysaccharides. Alginate is one of the polysaccharides isolated from brown seaweeds, which conventionally extracted using the alkaline method. In addition, other methods such as enzyme, ultrasound, microwave, enzyme-ultrasound, extrusion and fermentation have been used to extract alginate. Alginate possess properties such as antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, prebiotic and emulsifying properties. Based on these properties the alginate is widely used in various industries like food, cosmetic, biomedical, pharmaceutical, Dyeing and printing, textile, papermaking, aquaculture, agriculture and welding. The present study overviews sources, process and extraction methods, properties and applications of alginate in the different industries.