Characteristics and Properties of Polysaccharides for Biomedical Applications with Emphasis on Seaweed Sulfated Polysaccharides

Polysaccharides are biopolymers of great interest for biomedical applications due to their exceptional biocompatibility, biodegradability, and structural diversity. This review begins with a general classification of these macromolecules, detailing their fundamental properties and the chemical modification strategies employed to fine-tune their behavior. However, achieving predictable behavior in biological systems depends strictly on a precise correlation between their physicochemical characteristics—such as composition, molecular weight, polydispersity, intrinsic viscosity, solubility, and charge—and their biological properties. Advanced extraction and characterization methodologies are systematically examined, with a particular focus on the chemical structures and sustainability of sulfated polysaccharides from seaweed as a strategic and renewable source of bioactive biomaterials. Furthermore, their biological profiles and structural value in advanced biomedical fields are evaluated, focusing specifically on polysaccharide-based targeted drug delivery systems, as well as applications of sulfated polysaccharides in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The bibliographic search was conducted based on thematic relevance and the information they provide on these aspects, without limiting the publication year. Ultimately, this comprehensive evaluation is crucial for assessing the value of these exceptional molecules, which are derived from renewable sources and possess vast technological and therapeutic potential.