Curdlan

Curdlan is a microbial polysaccharide produced by a mutant strain of Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes which was first shown to produce succinoglucan prior to mutation. Curdlan is a β-(1-3) glucan which forms clear solutions at about 55°C and then forms “low-set” gels when cooled. Suspensions of curdlan at higher temperatures form firm resilient gels, “high set” gels, that melt at 140-160°C.