Recent advances in chemical characterization, emerging applications, and biological activities of tea polysaccharides and their conjugates from leaves and flowers: A review

Tea (Camellia sinensis) polysaccharides (TPS) and tea polysaccharide conjugates (TPC) are bioactive compounds found in tea leaves and flowers, attracting growing interest for their biological activities and emerging applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Despite substantial progress in tea polyphenol research, studies focusing on TPS and TPC are still relatively underrepresented. This review fills a gap in the literature by summarizing the latest advancements in the extraction, characterization, and biological effects of TPS and TPC. The review emphasizes the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and hypoglycemic activities of TPS and TPC, as well as their role in modulating gut microbiota. It also highlights the potential of TPS and TPC in enhancing the texture, flavor, and stability of food products, in addition to its use in skincare for anti-aging and wound healing. The findings indicate that TPS and TPC exhibit significant variability in bioactivity based on tea type, extraction method, and molecular weight. Based on available evidence, TPS and TPC exhibits pronounced biological activities, especially antioxidants, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. Importantly, TPS and TPC present promising applications in encapsulation and drug delivery systems, contributing to their growing industrial appeal. The novelty of this work lies in its comprehensive overview of the diverse roles of TPS and TPC, which are gaining attention for their functional versatility. This review offers valuable insights for researchers and industry professionals seeking to harness the full potential of TPS in various sectors.