Abstract: Some polysaccharides have immune-enhancing, anti-tumor and other pharmacological effects, but contain a large number of hydroxyl groups that easily form intramolecular and intermolecular hydrogen bonds, thereby making them difficult to dissolve in water, and consequently restricting their application. Thefore, it is necessary to modify those polysaccharides. As a new type of green solvent, ionic liquid has a good ability to dissolve a variety of organic and inorganic macromolecules, and can be used as a medium for physical and chemical modification of polysaccharides. In this paper, the solubility and underlying mechanism of polysaccharides in different ionic liquids are reviewed. The effects of modification with ionic liquid on the structure and physicochemical properties of polysaccharides are discussed. Problems currently existing in this field of research are pointed out and future trends are dicussed. The aim of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for improving the physicochemical properties of polysaccharides and broadening their scope of application.

Key words: polysaccharides, ionic liquids, modification, physicochemical properties