Ulva Seaweed-Derived Ulvan: A Promising Marine Polysaccharide for Biomaterial Design

Currently, green seaweed is underutilized compared to other major seaweeds. Among green seaweeds, many scientists have reported the utilization of Ulva in various fields in recent years, which intrigues its potential as the next top candidate for biomass in industrial biorefineries. Ulva has unique polysaccharides called ulvan, which are considered for medicinal and pharmacological applications. Ulvan is a sulfated polysaccharide consisting of rhamnose, glucuronic acid, and sulfated sugar units, which offers a range of bioactive properties, including immunomodulation, antimicrobial activity, anticoagulant, and biocompatibility, making it a versatile candidate for biomaterial design. This review presents an in-depth analysis of the potential route for the application of ulvan, starting from extraction methods, structural and biological characterization to biomaterial design, highlighting its advantages over traditional polysaccharides such as agar, carrageenan, and alginate.