A review of the fungal polysaccharides as natural biopolymers: Current applications and future perspective

• Published in: International journal of biological macromolecules 2024-07, Vol.273 (Pt 2), p.132986, Article 132986
• Main Authors: Ali, Sameh S., Alsharbaty, Mohammed H.M., Al-Tohamy, Rania, Naji, Ghassan A., Elsamahy, Tamer, Mahmoud, Yehia A.-G., Kornaros, Michael, Sun, Jianzhong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biopolymers; Biotechnological applications; Fungal exopolysaccharides
• ISSN: 0141-8130; 1879-0003; 1879-0003
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132986

As a unique natural resource, fungi are a sustainable source of lipids, polysaccharides, vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients. As a result, they have beneficial medicinal and nutritional properties. Polysaccharides are among the most significant bioactive components found in fungi. Increasing research has revealed that fungal polysaccharides (FPS) contain a variety of bioactivities, including antitumor, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-aging properties. However, the exact knowledge about FPS and their applications related to their future possibilities must be thoroughly examined to enhance a better understanding of this sustainable biopolymer source. Therefore, FPS' biological applications and their role in the food and feed industry, agriculture, and cosmetics applications were all discussed in this work. In addition, this review highlighted the mode of action of FPS on human diseases by regulating gut microbiota and discussed the mechanism of FPS as antioxidants in the living cell. The structure-activity connections of FPS were also highlighted and explored. Moreover, future perspectives were listed to pave the way for future studies of FPS applications. Hence, this study can be a scientific foundation for future FPS research and industrial applications.