Extraction and analysis of cellulose from macroalgae

Macroalgae is rich in polysaccharides,in particular cellulose forming the cell wall. China is the world 's largest economic algae producer,mainly cultivating brown and red algae for food and chemicals like algal hydrocolloids. At present,the utilization of cellulose extracted from algae is still in the phase of research and development,and this kind of cellulose shows attractive prospects in such areas as bio-ethanol,bio-material and functional food due to its unique structural and physicochemical properties.This paper reviewed some of the latest publications on cellulose from macroalgae,especially on its extraction and physical/chemical analysis,to provide references for research in deep processing of macroalgae in China.