| Polysaccharide | Source | Key Biological/Pharmacological Activities |
| β-Glucan | Fungi (e.g., mushrooms), yeast, cereals (oats, barley) | Immunomodulatory (macrophage/lymphocyte activation), anticancer, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering |
| Fucoidan | Brown algae (Fucus, Laminaria, Undaria) | Anticoagulant, antiviral, anticancer (apoptosis induction, anti-angiogenesis), immunomodulatory, antioxidant |
| Laminarin | Brown algae | Antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, metabolic regulation |
| Alginate | Brown algae | Wound healing, drug delivery, immunomodulation, prebiotic activity |
| Carrageenan | Red algae (Chondrus crispus, Kappaphycus) | Antiviral, anticoagulant, antioxidant, immunomodulatory (though some forms may cause inflammation at high doses) |
| Chitosan | Crustacean shells, fungi | Antimicrobial, wound healing, cholesterol-lowering, drug delivery, antioxidant |
| Chondroitin Sulfate | Animal cartilage (shark, bovine, porcine) | Anti-inflammatory, joint protection (osteoarthritis treatment), wound repair, anticoagulant |
| Heparin/Heparan Sulfate | Animal tissues (mast cells, intestinal mucosa) | Potent anticoagulant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, angiogenesis regulation |
| Dermatan Sulfate | Animal connective tissue | Anticoagulant, wound healing, tissue regeneration |
| Hyaluronic Acid | Animal connective tissue, bacterial fermentation | Tissue hydration, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, joint lubrication, cosmetic filler |
| Dextran | Bacterial fermentation (Leuconostoc, Streptococcus) | Plasma expander, antioxidant, drug delivery carrier, immunomodulatory |
| Xanthan Gum | Bacterial fermentation (Xanthomonas campestris) | Stabilizer in pharmaceuticals/foods, prebiotic, immunomodulatory |
| Pullulan | Fungus (Aureobasidium pullulans) | Antioxidant, antimicrobial, film-forming for drug delivery and food preservation |
| Pectin | Plant cell walls (fruits, citrus peel, apple) | Prebiotic, cholesterol-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anticancer |
| Inulin | Chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke | Prebiotic (stimulates Bifidobacterium), improves gut health, regulates glucose and lipid metabolism |
| Arabinogalactan | Larch trees, medicinal plants | Immunostimulant, prebiotic, hepatoprotective, anticancer |
| Scleroglucan | Fungal polysaccharide | Immunomodulatory, antioxidant, wound healing, anticancer potential |
| Peptidoglycan | Bacterial cell walls | Immunostimulant (activates innate immune receptors like TLR2), adjuvant potential |
| Capsular Polysaccharides | Bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis) | Antigenic, used in polysaccharide and conjugate vaccines |
