Properties and Industrial Applications of Seaweed Polysaccharides-degrading Enzymes from the Marine Microorganisms

Recently seaweed polysaccharides have been extensively studied due to their various biological functions including antitumor, antiviral, anticoagulant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Although seaweed polysaccharides are known to possess numerous beneficial properties, their industrial applications have been limited due to the low inclusion efficiency and high cost of manufacturing involved in chemical hydrolysis. In addition, the smell of seaweed has been a limiting factor in its application in the food and cosmetic industries. Therefore, novel hydrolysis methods and the deodorization of seaweed are required if the extensive application of seaweed polysaccharides is to be seen. A number of studies have examined various seaweed polysaccharide-degrading enzymes, which have been isolated from marine microorganisms, and enzymatic hydrolysis processes have been investigated for the improvement of production yields and the bio-efficacy of seaweed polysaccharides. This review is a synopsis on the properties of seaweed polysaccharides-degrading enzymes from marine microorganisms and their industrial applications. The review reveals the pressing need for more concentrated research on the development of new biological materials from seaweed.