Chemical modification of xanthan gum through graft copolymerization: Tailored properties and potential applications in drug delivery and wastewater treatment

•Reaction optimization is required for maximum grafting efficiency.•Mechanism of polysaccharide grafting varies with redox pairs.•Chemical grafting tailored the properties of virgin xanthan gum.•Graft copolymers was suitable material as drug delivery matrices.•Xanthan-based graft copolymers were excellent adsorbents. Xanthan gum (XG) possesses numerous hydroxyl groups, which are the focal points for graft copolymerization of synthetic monomers. A detailed mechanism of graft copolymerization is of utmost importance in obtaining new materials with desirable attributes. The physicochemical, thermal, and morphological changes gained after graft copolymerization is also described. The graft copolymerization can further improve adsorption efficiency of toxic heavy metals and synthetic dyes from wastewater or industrial effluents. The swelling and pH-sensitivity of graft copolymer are attractive features for the purpose of controlled drug delivery. Despite a plethora of reports, comprehensive reviews on XG-based graft copolymers and their potential applications are scarce. Hence, this review undertakes detailed discussion on the synthesis of XG-based graft copolymer, their properties and potential application in drug delivery and wastewater treatment, which would be interesting for the readers and budding scientists to progress further with polysaccharide research and explore new materials for the intended purposes.