Structure, bioactivity and applications of natural hyperbranched polysaccharides

Carbohydr Polym. 2019 Nov 1:223:115076. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2019.115076. Epub 2019 Jul 10.

Abstract

In recent years, hyperbranched polymers, especially the natural hyperbranched polysaccharides (HBPSs), are receiving much attention due to their diverse biological activities and applications. With high degree of branching (DB), HBPSs mainly exist in the form of either a comb-brush shape, dendrimer-like particulate, or globular particle. HBPSs also possess some unique properties, such as high density, large spatial cavities, and numerous terminal functional groups, which distinguish them from other polymers. As a natural biopolymer, HBPS has excellent bioavailability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, which have versatile applications in the fields of food, medicine, cosmetic, and nanomaterials. In this review, the source and structure of HBPSs from plant, animal, microbial and fungal origins as well as their biological functions and applications are covered, with the aim of further advancing the research of their structure and bioactivity.

Keywords: Application; Bioactivity; Hyperbranched; Polysaccharide; Structure.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bacteria / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials* / chemistry
  • Biocompatible Materials* / metabolism
  • Biological Products* / chemistry
  • Biological Products* / metabolism
  • Carbohydrate Conformation
  • Fungi / chemistry
  • Plants / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides* / chemistry
  • Polysaccharides* / metabolism

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Biological Products
  • Polysaccharides