Analysis Methods and Structure–Activity Relationships of Polysaccharides in Sea Cucumber: A Review

Sea cucumber polysaccharide is a kind of heteropolysaccharide rich in sulfate groups, which has complex structures and various biological activities. Its biological activity is closely related to its chemical composition, molecular weight, and sulfated patterns. Therefore, in order to study the biological activity of sea cucumber polysaccharide, the analysis methods of a sea cucumber polysaccharide structure were comprehensively summarized, and the neutral polysaccharide, fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, and sulfated fucan of sea cucumber were reviewed. The structural characteristics of sea cucumber polysaccharide were expected to provide a theoretical basis for subsequent studies on the biological activity and structure-activity relationship of sea cucumber polysaccharide.