Advances in Oligosaccharides Production from Brown Seaweeds: Extraction, Characterization, Antimetabolic Syndrome, and Other Potential Applications

Brown seaweeds are a rich source of bioactive oligosaccharides (OSs) with potential health benefits, particularly in managing metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity and type 2 diabetes. The review discusses advances in the extraction, characterization, and purification of brown seaweed oligosaccharides (BSOSs), highlighting enzymatic hydrolysis for its specificity and efficiency. These oligosaccharides exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic properties, with potential applications in food and pharmaceuticals. Despite promising in vitro results, clinical studies are needed to confirm health benefits. The document also notes the potential of hair growth-promoting fuco-oligosaccharides derived using microwave-assisted extraction, demonstrating applications in promoting hair growth in rat models. Challenges remain in achieving industrial-scale production and purification, and further research is needed to optimize these processes and explore therapeutic uses.