Polysaccharides and carbohydrate polymers: innovations from nature to industry

Polysaccharides and carbohydrate polymers are extensively studied for their potential in drug delivery systems. These biomaterials can be tailored to control the release rate of medications, offering significant advantages in therapeutic applications. Moreover, polysaccharides and carbohydrate polymers hold substantial promise in tissue engineering, with ongoing research focusing on enhancing their properties and developing novel applications to support tissue regeneration and repair. In addition to medical uses, polysaccharides and carbohydrate-based polymers play a crucial role in environmental applications. Their remarkable ability to adsorb large quantities of dyes, heavy metals and other pollutants makes them effective in wastewater treatment. Polysaccharides such as chitosan, cellulose and alginate are particularly well-suited for this purpose. Similarly, natural polysaccharides such as starch and guar gum serve as flocculants, promoting the aggregation of suspended particles in water, which can then be removed through sedimentation or filtration. These materials can also bind to heavy metals and other contaminants in soil, reducing their mobility and bioavailability. This immobilization process prevents pollutants from entering the food chain, thereby mitigating environmental risks. This review highlights the significant role of polysaccharides and carbohydrate polymers in advancing drug delivery systems, tissue engineering and a wide range of industrial and environmental applications. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.