Researchers have many times turned their attention
to nature and biological processes to develop novel technologies
and materials. In a medical perspective, nature-based
products are believed to be a strategic alternative approach
to the use of fully synthetic materials, particularly in the design
of medical devices. In the past decades, marine organisms
have become the focus of considerable attention as potential
sources of valuable materials. The sustainable exploitation
and valorisation of natural marine resources constitutes a
highly attractive and strategic platform for the development
of novel biomaterials, with both economic and environmental
benefits. In this context, algae are known to synthesise large
quantities of polysaccharides and are well established sources
of these particularly interesting molecules, many of which are
known for their applicability in the design of biomaterials.
Agar, carrageenan and alginates are some of the most known
examples, and their uses can range from food to biomedical applications. However, few of the world’s available seaweed
species are used commercially. Among the three main divisions
of macroalgae (Chlorophyta, Phaeophyta and Rhodophyta),
the green algae remain largely unexploited in this
biomedical arena. While the demand for novel materials and
technologies increases, so does the research of unexploited marine green algae including its unique polysaccharide ulvan.Anabela Alves is grateful for financial support from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the SFRH/BD/39359/2007 grant. This work was partially supported by the project IBEROMARE approved by the Operational Programme for Cross-border Cooperation: Spain-Portugal, 2007-2013 (POCTEP), with funding contribution through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF co-funding) and POCTEP
