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The polysaccharides of living organisms and/or functionalized polysaccharides with biological impacts on living organisms are specified as bioactive polysaccharides [25]. Most bioactive polysaccharides are made from glucose, galactose, fucose, mannose, ribose, arabinose, xylose, glucuronic acid, and galacturonic acid [24].

Since polysaccharides are structurally complex biomolecules and experimental methodologies for studying polysaccharides have been limited, research in polysaccharides has ever fallen behind that on protein and nucleic acids. The opening of the research area into polysaccharides dates back to about 100 years ago. Early research focused mostly on chemical composition and primary structures of polysaccharides and by the 1970s, the combination of carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry enabled researchers to investigate the potential influences of polysaccharides on cell and molecular biology [24]. In 1988, Dr. Dwek from Oxford University brought the concept of glycobiology and opened a new research area comprising carbohydrate chemistry, immunology, and molecular biology and aiming to determine the functional roles of polysaccharides or carbohydrate chains [24, 26]. In the wider sense, the term “glycobiology” is defined as studying the structure, biosynthesis, biological interactions, and evolution of saccharides that are widespread in nature [1]. Nowadays, it has been known that the functions of polysaccharides are not limited to being the structural support and energy source in life, but they also play important roles in various biological phenomena and physiological processes [24]. Recent advances in bioanalytical technology have enabled researchers to understand and explore the structures and roles of polysaccharides and utilize their functions.

Because of their non-toxic quality and biodegradable and biocompatible characters, bioactive polysaccharides have gained attention as therapeutic agents for pharmacological applications, based on their broad range of biological properties including antioxidative, antimicrobial, antitumor, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, and hepato-protective actions [25]. Bioactive polysaccharides and polysaccharide-derived polymers are also focused on extensively for the development of novel products useful in the fields of food and feed production, cosmetics, wood products, paper, cellulose derivatives, sustainable fuel production, and textiles [23]. Of note, unraveling the complexity of biopolysaccharides and advances in the use of biopolysaccharides for therapeutic and/or commercial purposes needs multidisciplinary collaboration of scientists from the fields of biology (molecular and cellular biology, phytology, microbiology, glycol-biology) and medicine, nutrition, and food sciences, physics, and chemistry.