Applications of Polysaccharides in Nutrition and Medicine

Abstract

Currently much attention is given to bioactive compounds for their nutritional and medicinal values. Numerous studies have been reported emphasizing that polysaccharides derived from various natural sources are proven to be potential therapeutic agents. Polysaccharides are widely distributed carbohydrates on earth. They are found with varied physico-chemical properties depending upon the source from where they are isolated. Also polysaccharides have gained much attention in biomedical field for their varied therapeutic properties. This chapter covers different accepts of polysaccharides. It mainly focuses on different sources from which polysaccharides are isolated including plants, animals, bacteria, fungi, and algae. Polysaccharides have their role in food and nutrition, health, and as energy source. Polysaccharides are also widely studied for their therapeutic properties mainly as anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anticancer, antioxidants, antiviral, antibacterial, neuroprotective, and immumodulatory effects. Detailed insights of all the biomedical applications are discussed in this chapter. It also includes information regarding potential polysaccharides with health benefits and with pharmacological importance. The information present in this chapter can be considered for the future research which mainly emphasize on extraction and using of polysaccharides as a therapeutic agent in the field of biomedical research.