Pullulan

Pullulan is a glucan elaborated by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. The chemical structure is essentially repeating units of maltotriose joined by α-D-(1-6) linkages. Pullulan dissolves readily in water to form a stable, viscous solution that does not gel. The polysaccharide can be moulded, made into fibres and forms clear soluble films. Applications are in foods as a low calorie ingredient and it can be used as a water soluble film. Pullulan can also be used in industrial applications as a binder and film former and in pharmaceutical applications.