Physical field-assisted technologies for polysaccharides: A critical review on extraction enhancement, structural modification, functional improvement, and future perspectives

Natural polysaccharides are increasingly valued as structure-programmable biopolymers that bridge texture design and nutritional functionality. However, conventional extraction routes relying on prolonged heating, harsh chemical conditions, or multi-step purification often compromise molecular integrity, limit yield, and incur high energy consumption, ultimately constraining the functional performance of the final products. This review systematically examines four representative physical field-assisted extraction technologies (ultrasound-, microwave-, pulsed electric field-, and high-pressure processing-assisted extraction) for polysaccharide extraction and functional enhancement. We analyze their working mechanisms, extracted polysaccharides’ structure-function relationships, synergies with multi-field cascades and green solvents, and establish a comparative framework for application-oriented technology selection. Physical field-assisted extraction enables in-situ structural modulation during extraction, outperforming conventional methods. Synergistic strategies further boost extraction efficiency and functional outcomes. Despite advances, industrial scale-up faces challenges in energy uniformity, equipment design, and process economics. Future directions include AI-driven precision optimization, function-oriented cascades, and circular economy integration. These technologies redefine polysaccharide extraction paradigms for sustainable production of high-value, functionally tailored biopolymers.