Carbohydrates From Seaweeds

This chapter presents a description of carbohydrates produced by macroalgae. A general description of seaweeds is provided together with a brief overview of the cell wall of these organisms and their harvesting worldwide. Definitions of mono-/di-, and polysaccharides are given to assist the reader in understanding the chapter. Because of the great diversity of seaweeds, the carbohydrates produced by macroalgae are presented by treating each class separately (green, red, and brown). Particular attention is paid to the chemical structure of carbohydrates, their variability, and the mechanisms of hydrogel formation specific to each phycocolloid. The second part of this contribution is focused on the particularities of carbohydrates involved in certain physiological functions (eg, osmoregulation and adhesive properties). We also discuss the advantages of using phycocolloids to form hydrogels for medical and pharmaceutical applications, which have led to the harvesting of macroalgae for industrial applications. We point out the importance of studying these carbohydrates, not only in terms of evolution within living organisms (lignin) but also in terms of benefit for our society (seaweed farming and bioethanol production).