Is pullulan good for you?

What Is Pullulan?

Pullulan is an extracellular water-soluble mucopolysaccharide similar to glucan and xanthan gum produced by the fermentation of budding Aureobasidium pullulans. It is also known as pullulan and pullulan, which is transliterated as pullulan. It is a special microbial polysaccharide discovered in 1938. The polysaccharide is mainly composed of maltotriose connected by a-1,6 glycosidic bonds. Due to the unique structure and properties of the polysaccharide, it has broad application prospects in the pharmaceutical, food, petroleum, chemical and other industries. Because it can be degraded and utilized by microorganisms in nature and will not cause environmental pollution, it is known as a pollution-free plastic. Pullulan is one of the four new food additives products. It can be used as a coating agent and thickener in candies, chocolate coatings, films, compound seasonings and fruit and vegetable juice beverages.

What Are The Properties Of Pullulan?

Pullulan is a colorless, tasteless, odorless polymer substance, a non-crystalline white powder, a non-ionic, non-reducing polysaccharide, and its properties can be shown in the following aspects

1.Non-toxicity and safety

According to the results of acute, subacute and chronic toxicity tests and mutation source tests of pullulan, even if the dosage of pullulan reaches the limit of LD50, pullulan will not cause any biological toxicity and abnormal state, so it is very safe to use in food and pharmaceutical industries.

2.Solubility

Pululan can be quickly dissolved in cold or warm water, and the dissolution rate is more than twice faster than that of carboxymethyl cellulose, Sodium Alginate, polypropylene alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. The solution is neutral, non-ionized, non-gelled, and non-crystallized.

3.Stability

The molecule of pullulan is linear in structure, so compared with other polysaccharides, the viscosity of pullulan aqueous solution is lower, it will not form colloid, and it is a neutral solution with strong adhesion.

4.Lubricity

Pululan is a Newtonian fluid. Although it has low viscosity, it has excellent lubricity. When used in food, it can be used for thickening. It is most suitable for products such as sauces and seasonings.

5.Adhesion and coagulation

Pululan has very strong adhesion. After spraying, it can be air-dried and stably adhere to food. It also has strong coagulation power. It is most suitable as an adhesive when it is made into tablets or granules.

6.Film coating

Pululan has excellent film coating and is easy to coat on the surface of food metal. At the same time, a water-soluble, five-color transparent and tough film can be formed from a pullulan aqueous solution. It has the characteristics of gas barrier, aroma retention, oil resistance, electrical insulation, etc. It can be used in food to add gloss to the surface of food and keep it fresh.

7.Degradability

According to the results of in vivo enzyme digestion tests or white mouse growth tests, pullulan is a difficult-to-digest polysaccharide like cellulose and agar. Pullulan is almost indecomposed within a few hours under the action of digestive enzymes in the digestive tract of animals. The low digestibility of pullulan can be used to make special low-calorie foods and beverages. On the other hand, pullulan, like starch, begins to decompose when it reaches about 250%C, and then is carbonized. It does not produce toxic gases and high heat when burned.

8.Improve physical properties and retain moisture

Adding a small amount of pullulan can improve physical properties and retain moisture. It can be used to improve food texture, improve quality, prevent aging, and increase the yield rate.

9.Formability and spinning

Just add a certain amount of water to pullulan, heat and pressurize it, and spin it to produce edible and water-soluble molded objects or fibers.

What Is The Application Of Pullulan?

Application of pullulan in the food industry

As a food packaging material:

Pululan is an ideal water-soluble food packaging material. Food films made of pullulan aqueous solution can be used to seal foods that are easily oxidized and deteriorated and powdered foods with strong flavors such as soups, coffee, sauces, various spices, freeze-dried foods, etc., which can protect the appearance and aroma of food and maintain stability for a long time.

In terms of fruit and egg preservation, pullulan or its derivatives can be used, with an appropriate amount of chemical protective ingredients, and directly sprayed on the surface to form a dry film, which can effectively inhibit the exchange and reaction of water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, etc. in fruits and eggs with the outside world, and inhibit the respiration intensity of fruits and eggs, reduce the nutritional loss during storage, and thus achieve the purpose of preservation.

Used as a low-calorie food additive:

Pululan is a non-digestible carbohydrate that is not absorbed by the intestines and can be excreted from the body. It does not cause high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, etc. It is a healthy food material and can be used as a low-calorie food additive to make low-calorie foods and beverages. Recently, it has been discovered that pullulan also has the effect of proliferating bifidobacteria and treating constipation.

Used as food quality improver and thickener:

Adding a small amount of pullulan during food processing can significantly improve food quality, such as fish cake can enhance the flavor and quality, adding a small amount of pullulan when making tofu can maintain the aroma of soybeans and simplify the process: soy sauce, condiments, pickles, sugar-boiled fish and shrimp, delicious foods, etc. Adding a small amount of pullulan can stabilize its viscosity, increase its viscosity and make it taste smoother.

Application of pullulan in cosmetics

In the cosmetics field, pullulan has film-forming properties, which can effectively lift the skin and tighten wrinkles immediately, and is used in products such as moisturizers, sunscreens and facial masks. It can also be used as a lubricant to increase the smoothness and richness of skin care, hair care and cleaning products, leaving a natural silicone-like after-feel on the skin. As an adhesive, it can be used to improve the adhesion of facial masks and hair styling products, as well as enhance the adhesion of loose powder products.

Environmental protection field

In terms of replacing traditional plastic products, whether it is biodegradable plastic bags, tableware or agricultural mulch, pullulan can reduce pollution to the environment while ensuring performance. In addition, pullulan can also be used for sewage treatment and adsorption of heavy metal ions, showing its unique value in environmental governance.