Fucoidan as an Encapsulant material: Applications and advantages in active agents and probiotic encapsulations

Fucoidans are branched sulfated polysaccharides primarily derived from brown seaweed, especially the Fucus genus, as well as other algae and marine invertebrates. With pseudoplastic behavior, they offer promising applications in cosmetics, pHarmaceuticals, and food industries. While traditional drug delivery materials are well-studied, fucoidans have gained attention as encapsulants, particularly in combination with chitosan and whey protein concentrate, which enhances their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity. These combinations enable effective encapsulation of bioactive compounds, drugs, and microorganisms. Despite these advantages, research on fucoidans as encapsulants is limited, with few studies exploring the mechanisms behind their function. This review examines the potential of fucoidans in encapsulation, addressing both their benefits and the challenges in expanding their applications across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and related fields.