Research progress on polysaccharides from medicine and food homology materials in functional foods

Polysaccharides, a class of complex macromolecules, are distinguished by their diverse biological functions and essential role in functional foods. The distinctive biological activities of polysaccharides from medicine and food homology materials (MFPs), including immunomodulation, carbohydrate metabolism regulation, and lipid metabolism regulation properties, have attracted considerable scientific attention. The relationship between polysaccharides and gut microbiota is fundamental to human health, as polysaccharides demonstrate efficacy in ameliorating various conditions—from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to obesity and diabetes—through their influence on intestinal flora composition and diversity. Although polysaccharide research and applications show promise, significant challenges persist, particularly regarding extraction and purification methodologies, and the complete understanding of their biological mechanisms. Future investigations should prioritize understanding the correlation between polysaccharide structure and function, advancing large-scale production and application technologies, and establishing productive interdisciplinary collaborations. MFPs demonstrate significant potential for advancing sustainable development and human health, building upon current research findings. This paper presents a comprehensive review of global developments in the extraction, purification, structural characterization, biological activities, and applications of MFPs, emphasizing opportunities for scientific and technological innovations in specialized dietary food development.