Supergiant LC materials, sacran, produced by cyanobacteria -from unique self-organization to materialization-

Abstract

Sacran, an extracellular polysaccharide of a cyanobacterium, Aphanothece sacrum, has unique structural features such as a sulfated polysaccharide having a molecular weight of more than 10 million g/mol. In addition, it was a polysaccharide having various useful functions such as high water retention, high thickening effect, liquid crystal exhibition, heavy metal adsorption, multiple helix structure formation, wound healing, and antiallergic ability. In this lecture, we will also explain the story leading up to the practical research as a highly water-retaining material using Sacran and the development of ultra-water-retaining textile, Sacray.