Dextran T0.8 (Dextran 0.8; Dextran T0.8(MW 640-960)) is a food additive with a porous network structure that exhibits strong hydration capacity and low browning activity. Dextran T0.8 (MW 800) can improve the coagulation of dairy products and is used as a prebiotic in baked goods. Dextran T0.8 (MW 800) is non-toxic to HeLa cells at a concentration of ~500 μg/mL and has a low relative browning rate in the Maillard reaction. The Dextran series of compounds are also natural polysaccharide drug carriers that can be connected to drugs through covalent bonding methods such as ester bonds, amide bonds or click chemistry, or self-assembled to form carriers such as nanoparticles and hydrogels. Dextran is biodegradable and biocompatible, and can achieve targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs. Dextran derivatives can prolong the half-life of drugs, increase local concentrations, and reduce the activity of immune clearance.