Porphyridium cruentum’s exopolysaccharides as versatile building blocks for new bioactive materials

Introduction/resume: Marine algae and their metabolites have been widely recognized for their bioactive properties with applications in various industries, such as pharmaceutical, cosmetical, and nutraceutical. The red unicellular microalgae Porphyridium cruentum is a natural source for a variety of bioactive compounds, such as exopolysaccharides (EPS) and is already cultivated in large scale by several biotechnological companies due to its biological activity, mostly for cosmetic applications. Conclusions: EPS from P. cruentum exhibited antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, and showed cytocompatibility within the range of tested concentrations and appeared to stimulate cell growth. Future research should focus on exploring the range of possible applications for these molecules, in particular with their potential as part of hydrogel systems for wound healing and tissue regeneration.