Pullulan

Pullulan
Names
Other names
E1204
Identifiers
9057-02-7 Yes
ChemSpider  
EC number 232-945-1
UNII 8ZQ0AYU1TT Yes
Properties
(C6H12O5)n
Appearance White powder
Soluble
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

Pullulan is a polysaccharide polymer consisting of maltotriose units, also known as α-1,4- ;α-1,6-glucan'. Three glucose units in maltotriose are connected by an α-1,4 glycosidic bond, whereas consecutive maltotriose units are connected to each other by an α-1,6 glycosidic bond. Pullulan is produced from starch by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. Pullulan is mainly used by the cell to resist against desiccation and predation, the presence of this polysaccharide also facilitate diffusion of molecules both into and out of the cell.[1] The presence of pullulan in the environnement next to the cell favorise the formation of biofilm.

As an edible, mostly tasteless polymer, the chief commercial use of pullulan is in the manufacture of edible films that are used in various breath freshener or oral hygiene products such as Listerine Cool Mint of Johnson and Johnson (USA) and Meltz Super Thin Mints of Avery Bio-Tech Private Ltd. (India). As a food additive, it is known by the E number E1204.

See also

References

  1. Rehm B.H.A (2009). Microbial production of biopolymers and polymers precursors. Caister Academic Press. p. 230.