Pullulan

Abstract

Pullulan is a natural polysaccharide with a linear structure comprising repeating α-1, 6-linked maltotriose molecules which elaborated by a black yeast, Aureobasidium pullulans.
Pullulan, a tasteless, oderless, and edible white fine powder, is a natural glucan as are amylose, dextran, and cellulose, but dissolves readily in cold water to form a viscous, non-gelling, aqueous solution.
The features of pullulan, superior to those of other polysaccharides, provide pullulan as an excellent adhesive, binder, thickener, viscosity stabilizer and coating agent for food application.
Pullulan films prepared with aqueous solution are edible and oxygen impermeable.
Besides the food industry, pullulan is widely used in pharmaceutical, biotechnical and other industries.