Algal Polysaccharides-Based Hydrogels: Extraction, Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Sustainable Materials

Background:

• Hydrogels are versatile polymer networks with applications in medicine, agriculture, and industry.
• Conventional synthetic hydrogels often exhibit poor biocompatibility and biodegradability.
• Algal polysaccharides present a natural, sustainable alternative due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the extraction, characterization, synthesis, and applications of algal polysaccharide-based hydrogels.
• To highlight recent advancements in the field of algal hydrogels.
• To emphasize the importance of techno-economic analyses for hydrogel development.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature on algal polysaccharide extraction and hydrogel fabrication.
• Analysis of physicochemical properties, mechanical strength, and functional tunability.
• Discussion of techno-economic feasibility studies for specific hydrogel systems.

Main Results:

• Algal polysaccharides can be effectively fabricated into hydrogels with tunable properties.
• These hydrogels demonstrate significant potential in drug delivery, tissue engineering, and wound dressing.
• Techno-economic analysis is crucial for assessing the viability of hydrogel applications.

Conclusions:

• Algal polysaccharide hydrogels represent a promising class of biomaterials with broad applicability.
• Further research into synthesis optimization and techno-economic evaluation will accelerate their commercialization.
• These sustainable hydrogels offer a greener alternative to conventional synthetic materials.