Modular Functionalization of Laminarin to Create Value-Added Naturally Derived Macromolecules

Abstract

With society's growing awareness of climate change, novel renewable and naturally sourced materials have received increasing attention as substitutes for petroleum-based products. Laminarin (LAM−OH) is a highly abundant, nontoxic, degradable polysaccharide found in marine organisms and hence is a promising sustainable polymeric candidate. This work reports on a simple, environmentally friendly, and customizable functionalization strategy for producing a toolbox of LAM−OH derivatives under mild conditions. Herein, natural-origin macromolecules exhibiting specific chemical moieties, namely, allyl, amine, carboxylic acid, thiol, aldehyde, and catechol, were prepared and chemically characterized. Furthermore, the obtained polymers were processed into cytocompatible hydrogels, obtained by employing distinct cross-linking mechanisms, to assess their potential for biomedical purposes. The application scope of such polymers could be extended to fields such as catalysis, cosmetics, life sciences, and food packaging, which can also benefit from having sustainable, nontoxic, and degradable materials. Moreover, it is anticipated that the methodology employed to create this library of new natural-based products could be adapted to modify other polysaccharides and biopolymers in general.

Laminarin, a Major Polysaccharide in Stramenopiles

“…The monosaccharide composition of chrysolaminarin can be measured by complete acid hydrolysis and the GC-MS analysis methods [ 17 ]. The structure of chrysolaminarin can be analyzed by different methods, such as 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, glycosyl linkage analysis, and size exclusion chromatography [ 35 ].…”

Marine polysaccharide-based electromagnetic absorbing/shielding materials: design principles, structure, and properties

“…Oceans occupy >70% of the earth's surface, and the complex marine ecosystems have spawned various polysaccharides with biodiversity and availability that are composed of more than 10 monosaccharides with glycosidic linkages and widely distributed in natural products, receiving increased attention due to the characteristics of these macromolecular polymers, including widely available sources, low costs, recyclable green energies, exclusive microstructures, and diverse biochemical activity. 65,66 Different marine polysaccharides with diverse chemical structures and functional groups possess a range of functions that determine their applications, 67 such as in biomedicine, 68 food ingredients, 69 and pharmaceuticals. 70 Noteworthily, as a natural porous material, marine polysaccharide can be used to prepare lightweight biomass aerogels for EMW absorption due to its unique advantages such as high specific surface area, adjustable pore size, custom skeleton, and special surface properties, which contribute to the fast ionic and electron transport processes and construction of 3D skeletons complexed with EM response materials.…”

Natural Origin Biomaterials for 4D Bioprinting Tissue‐Like Constructs

“…[126] For the case of natural-based polymers, macromolecular design strategies may be used to produce hydrogels with improved mechanical properties that could be integrated in 4D-bioprinted principles. [127] For that, more work will be needed to build larger libraries of chemically modified natural polymers, including polysaccharides, [128] proteins, [129] and human plasma derivatives. [130] Furthermore, the 4D functionality requires the precursor material or a mixture to contain stimuli-responsive components, which further limits the number of candidates suitable to be explored for this new technology.…”