As a synthetic water-soluble polymer compound, PVP possesses the general properties of water-soluble polymers, such as colloidal protection, film-forming ability, adhesiveness, hygroscopicity, solubilization, or coagulation. However, its most distinctive and highly valued characteristics are its excellent solubility and physiological compatibility. Among synthetic polymers, it is rare to find one like PVP that is soluble in both water and most organic solvents, has very low toxicity, and exhibits good physiological compatibility. Especially in fields closely related to human health, such as medicine, food, and cosmetics, PVP is bound to demonstrate promising development prospects. Below is a detailed introduction to its application areas:

Medicine and Health: PVP has excellent physiological inertness, does not participate in human metabolism, and exhibits outstanding biocompatibility, causing no irritation to the skin, mucous membranes, eyes, etc. Pharmaceutical-grade PVP is one of the three internationally advocated new pharmaceutical excipients. It can be used as a binder for tablets and granules, a solubilizing agent for injections, a glidant for capsules, a detoxifying agent for eye medications, an extended-release agent, a lubricant, and a film-coating agent. It also serves as a dispersant for liquid preparations, a stabilizer for enzymes and thermosensitive drugs, and a cryopreservation agent. In contact lenses, it enhances hydrophilicity and lubricity. PVP K30 has been approved by national drug regulatory authorities and is officially on the market. The company also supplies povidone K30 with approval numbers. [1]

From a biological perspective, the molecular structure of PVP resembles that of a simple protein model. Its water solubility, ability to complex with certain small molecules, and precipitation by protein precipitants like tannic acid and phenols are similar to those of proteins. This makes PVP widely used as an excipient in pharmaceutical preparations, with specific applications as follows: ① Binder for preparations ② Co-precipitating agent ③ Solubilizing agent or crystallization inhibitor in injections ④ Coating or film-forming agent ⑤ Extended-release and sustained-release agent for controlled drug release, prolonging the drug's duration of action ⑥ Artificial vitreous and cornea ⑦ Surgical dressings ⑧ PVP iodine disinfectant. Additionally, PVP can serve as a coloring agent and X-ray contrast agent. It is applicable to various dosage forms such as tablets, granules, and aqueous preparations, offering effects like detoxification, hemostasis, increased solubility, prevention of peritoneal adhesions, and promotion of erythrocyte sedimentation.

Food Processing: PVP itself is non-carcinogenic and has good food safety. It can form complexes with specific polyphenolic compounds (e.g., tannins) and is primarily used as a clarifier and stabilizer in food processing for beer, fruit juice, wine, and other products. PVP complexes with specific polyphenols (e.g., tannins), providing clarification and anti-coagulation effects in fruit juice beverages. For example, Buschke H et al. found that adding 0.01%–0.02% soluble PVP to fermentation tanks effectively lowers the freezing point. PVP serves a similar purpose in the production of alcohol and vinegar. Cross-linked PVP is particularly widely used in beer and tea beverages. Polyphenols in beer can bind with proteins to form large-molecule tannin complexes, significantly affecting the beer's flavor and shortening its shelf life. Cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) can complex with tannic acid and anthocyanins in beer, thereby clarifying the beer, improving its storage stability, and extending its shelf life. In tea beverages, PVPP can appropriately reduce the content of tea polyphenols. Moreover, PVPP does not remain in the tea beverage, is reusable, and significantly reduces costs. [1]

Daily Cosmetics: In the consumption structure of PVP, the cosmetics industry accounts for 30%–50% in developed countries and 70%–80% in China. Due to its extremely low toxicity and physiological inertness, PVP causes no irritation to the skin or eyes and has a long history of use in the medical field, making it very safe for cosmetics and similar applications. In daily cosmetics, PVP and its copolymers exhibit good dispersibility and film-forming properties. PVP acts as a protective colloid in emulsions and can be used in both fatty and non-fatty ointments. It serves as a setting agent in styling lotions, hairsprays, and mousses, an opacifier in hair conditioners, a foam stabilizer in shampoos, and a dispersant and adhesive in wave-setting agents and hair dyes. Adding PVP to creams, sunscreens, and depilatories enhances moisturizing and lubricating effects. [8]