Alginate's ability to prevent metabolic illnesses, the degradation of the gut's protective layer, and alginate‐based encapsulation methods

• Published in: Food science & nutrition 2024-11, Vol.12 (11), p.8692-8714
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Arslan, Riaz, Sakhawat, Desta, Derese Tamiru
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Algae; alginate; Alginic acid; Bioavailability; Biological activity; Biological effects; Biopolymers; Brown algae; Carotenoids; Chemical activity; Dietary fiber; Dietary guidelines; Dietary restrictions; Digestive system; Encapsulation; Food; Fucoidan; Gastrointestinal tract; gut health; Illnesses; Immunology; intestinal barrier; Intestinal microflora; Intestine; Metabolism; Metabolites; Microbiota; Molecular structure; Molecular weight; Natural & organic foods; Nutrients; Oxidation; Oxidative stress; Polymers; Polysaccharides; Review; Saccharides; Side effects; Sodium alginate; Solubility; Stomach
• ISSN: 2048-7177; 2048-7177
• DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.4455

The gut serves as the body's main immunological and digestive system. Furthermore, host immunity is mostly managed there. Nutrients are further broken down and absorbed here. Numerous research investigations have shown evidence that inflammation, oxidative stress, impairment of the intestinal barrier, and imbalance in the gut microbiota can all contribute to a variety of intestinal illnesses and other issues, underscoring the growing significance of intestinal health concerns. Because of their high biological activity and lack of negative side effects, the organic food‐derived chemicals known as brown algal polysaccharides—mainly fucoidan, laminaran, and alginate—have attracted a lot of attention from academics. Because of its many benefits, sodium alginate is one of the biopolymers that has garnered the greatest attention, research, and application. Carotenoids, which are found in our food, have several positive health effects. Their low solubility in water, oxidation susceptibility, chemical instability, accessibility, and restricted solubility in water, however, restrict their use in food and medicine. In this review and in overcoming these constraints, encapsulation might be helpful. Furthermore, the primary goal of our study is to provide a fresh perspective into the control and avoidance of intestinal diseases. It provides more potent alternatives to this system, clarifies the function of alginates in enhancing the encapsulation of carotenoids, and functions as a model for the synthesis of the intestinal protective agent fucoidan. The gut is crucial for digestion and immunity, with issues like inflammation and gut microbiota imbalance linked to intestinal diseases. Brown algal polysaccharides, particularly sodium alginate, offer promising benefits due to their high biological activity and minimal side effects. This review explores how encapsulation, particularly with alginates, can address challenges in using carotenoids and provides insights into fucoidan's role in intestinal protection.