Pullulan

Pullulan is an extracellular water-soluble bacterial polysaccharide produced from beet molasses by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. It is a linear polysaccharide made up of ¥á-1,6-linked maltotriose residues. As an odorless white colored powder, pullulan is easily soluble in water to make a clear and viscous solution. This polymer also has high adhesion, sticking, lubrication, and film forming abilities. Typical nutraceutical uses of pullulan are as food coatings, as an ingredient of low calorie foods and as a starch substitute and a bulking agent and stabilizer for tablets in the pharmaceutical industry.