BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF SARGASSUM SPECIES: A REVIEW OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS, TRANSLATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Sargassum species represent a major but incompletely exploited source of biologically active compounds and renewable biomass. Interest in Sargassum has increased substantially because its biomass contains structurally diverse polysaccharides with potential pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, biomedical, environmental and industrial applications. This review critically synthesizes literature concerning the biotechnological and therapeutic potential of Sargassum species. Evidence indicates that Sargassum fusiforme, Sargassum polycystum, Sargassum wightii, Sargassum horneri, Sargassum hemiphyllum, Sargassum muticum, Sargassum filipendula, Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans, among others, differ substantially in chemical composition and therefore should not be treated as pharmacologically interchangeable resources. Fucoidan and other sulfated polysaccharides are among the most intensively investigated fractions and have demonstrated antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, anticoagulant and anticancer activities, although activity depends strongly on molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, sulfation pattern, extraction method and species origin. Alginate provides particularly important biotechnological value because of its biodegradability, biocompatibility and gel-forming capacity, supporting applications in hydrogels, wound dressings, tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery. Sargassum biomass also has potential as a biosorbent, biofertilizer feedstock, functional-feed ingredient and substrate for circular biorefineries. However, the translation of laboratory findings into approved therapeutics remains limited. Major barriers include inconsistent taxonomic identification, seasonal and geographic chemical variation, inadequate standardization of extracts, insufficient pharmacokinetic and toxicological information, limited controlled clinical trials and contamination risks associated with beach-cast biomass, particularly trace metals and arsenic. The review concludes that the greatest future opportunity lies in an integrated, species-resolved and quality-controlled biorefinery model in which high-value therapeutic compounds are recovered before residual biomass is converted into lower-value products. Progress toward clinical and commercial translation will require rigorous structure-function analysis, standardized extraction and characterization, relevant in vivo models, human studies and regulatory-quality contaminant control.