Mechanochemical Transformations of Polysaccharides: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry

Background:

• Polysaccharide modification is crucial for developing advanced materials.
• Traditional methods often rely on hazardous solvents and reagents.
• There is a growing demand for sustainable and environmentally friendly chemical processes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of mechanochemical approaches for polysaccharide modification.
• To highlight the advantages of mechanochemistry in polysaccharide functionalization.
• To discuss the potential of mechanochemically modified polysaccharides in various applications.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
• Analysis of studies employing mechanochemical techniques for polysaccharide modification.
• Evaluation of reported mechanisms, properties, and applications of modified polysaccharides.

Main Results:

• Mechanochemical modification enables solvent-free or reduced-solvent processing of polysaccharides.
• This approach facilitates diverse chemical transformations, altering polysaccharide structure and properties.
• Modified polysaccharides exhibit enhanced solubility, film-forming capabilities, and potential for self-organization and stabilization of nanoparticles and bioactive substances.

Conclusions:

• Mechanochemical modification represents a sustainable and versatile strategy for polysaccharide functionalization.
• The technique offers significant advantages over conventional methods, aligning with green chemistry principles.
• Mechanochemically modified polysaccharides hold promise for applications in biomaterials, drug delivery, and nanotechnology.