## 5 Conclusions  
NMR spectroscopy is still an indispensable tool for polysaccharide research, providing great insights into the complex structure, conformation, dynamics, and interactions of polysaccharides. This review shows how the progress in solution- and solid-state techniques, multidimensional NMR experiments, and other complementary methods have completely changed polysaccharide research.  
In the field of biomedical sciences, NMR has elucidated critical structure-function relationships, accelerating the development of anticoagulant and immunomodulatory therapy and allowing for the treatment of cognitive impairment through polysaccharide therapy therapy [14; 15; 53]. These findings demonstrate the potential of polysaccharides in therapeutic design, supported by precise structural validation using NMR spectroscopy.  
In food science, NMR has facilitated the optimization of polysaccharide preparations, ranging from improving the stability of lotions and the properties of gels to enhancing the aroma and sensory properties of food research [32; 45; 54]. These contributions demonstrate that NMR spectroscopy is crucial in improving the quality and functionality of food research.  
Environmental and industrial applications have also benefited significantly from NMR technology. This technology reveals a key enzyme mechanism in lignocellulosic degradation. It also improves our understanding of biofilm dynamics. Moreover, it supports the design of hydrogels and composites for renewable and agricultural energy [10; 12; 27]. These studies provide examples of how NMR can combine molecular insights with real-world applications, driving innovation in sustainability and industrial processes.  
As NMR technologies continue advancing, their strategic application requires careful matching of technique capabilities to polysaccharide characteristics. Table 5 distills the findings into a practical reference guide, while highlighting emerging opportunities where further methodological development could overcome current limitations (e.g., in situ analysis of dynamic polysaccharide-protein complexes).  
In the future, the integration of NMR with complementary approaches, such as mass spectrometry, computational modeling, and DNP-enhanced spectroscopy, will further expand its capabilities. Emerging technologies, including portable NMR systems and ultra-high-field magnets, have the potential to improve accessibility and sensitivity. With these improvements, we can study polysaccharides in their natural state and in the real-world environment [5; 6]. Advancements in NMR technology continue to enhance its sensitivity, resolution, and computational capabilities, and therefore the scope of its applications in polysaccharide research. Novel tools like enhanced NMR and spectral analysis based on machine learning are expected to solve the existing problems. They will also make it possible to study polysaccharides in their natural environment and complex systems. By bridging molecular level insights with practical applications, NMR is set to remain a fundamental technique in polysaccharide science, driving breakthroughs in biomedical, food, and environmental research while promoting innovation and sustainability in these different fields.  
Writing the manuscript, Y.L.; assisting in editing the manuscript, L.G. and Z.Y. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. This work was funded by the General Project of Experimental Technology Program of Zhejiang University, grant number SYBJS202404.  
Data Availability Statement: Data availability statements are available.  
We thank the Chemistry Instrumentation Center of Zhejiang University for providing the NMR research platform. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.