Advances in Modification Strategies of Polysaccharides and Their Applications

Natural polysaccharides are important biopolymers with unique physicochemical properties and promising biological activities, making them valuable for applications across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmeceutical, and packaging fields. Nevertheless, their broader utilization has been constrained by inherent limitations such as high molecular weight and poor water solubility. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in strategies for polysaccharide modification and their corresponding applications. Chemical modification is one of the most effective methods, involving the incorporation of new functional groups through derivatization or conjugation with non-polysaccharide biomolecules; physical modification offers a convenient and environmentally friendly alternative, involving the degradation of polysaccharide molecular chains via techniques such as ultrasonic/microwave and plasma modification; Biological modification constitutes a mild and safe method, employing enzymatic and fermentation processes to alter polysaccharide structures. This review delineates a foundational framework that correlates structural characteristics with physicochemical properties and functional performance, demonstrating how tailored functionalities can be systematically incorporated into polysaccharides. Such advancements have markedly broadened the scope of modified polysaccharides for application in sophisticated fields.