Aerogels, in recent times, have become materials of extensive research due to their
fascinating capabilities in different fields. High porosity, large surface area, low thermal
conductivity and low density make them significant in fields such as medicine, environmental
engineering, food packaging, and so on. Biodegradability, low toxicity and biocompatibility, in
addition to the aforementioned properties, offered by bio-based aerogels, especially polysaccharide
based aerogels, give them a huge advantage over conventional inorganic ones. Polysaccharide based
aerogels synthesised from starch, cellulose, pectin, alginate, chitosan, carrageenan and agarose
precursors enable sustainable developments in the biomedical, cosmetic, electronic, construction
and food industries. This review focuses on the biomedical applications of polysaccharide based
aerogels, with special emphasis on its implications in drug delivery, tissue engineering, medical
implantable devices, wound dressing, biosensors and bio-imaging. The future perspectives of these
smart materials have also been subjected to discussion.