Recent Advances in Marine-Derived Polysaccharide Hydrogels: Innovative Applications and Challenges in Emerging Food Fields

Marine-derived polysaccharides (MPs) are a class of polysaccharides isolated and purified from marine organisms, which engage in various biological activities such as immunomodulation, anti-tumor, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticoagulant activities. Excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity make them ideal biomaterials for the preparation of hydrogels. In recent years, MP-based hydrogels have been successfully fabricated into various novel and smart hydrogels, triggering new transformations in the fields of biomedicine, cosmetics, and food. This review introduces the structural features, bioactive mechanisms, and safety evaluation of MPs. This review focuses on the latest application progress of MP-based hydrogels in the food field, including fruits and vegetables, meat products, aquatic products, bakery products, and health products, aiming to provide fundamental support for further research and development in the food industry.