Introduction

Pullulan is natural water-soluble polysaccharide, fermented by Auveobasidium Pullulans. It consists
mainly of maltotriose units linked through α-1, 6 - glucosidic bonds. The average molecular weight is
2×105 Da. Pullulan can be developed into various products. It is an excellent film-former, producing a film
which is heat sealable with good oxygen barrier properties. It can be used widely in both the pharmaceutical
and food industries, such as encapsulating agents, adhesives, thickening, and extending agent. Pullulan has
been used as a food ingredient for over 20 years in Japan. It has Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) status
in the US for a much wider range of applications.
Molecular formula: (C6H10O5)x
Properties
Pullulan is non-toxic, non-mutagenic, odorless, tasteless, and edible. Dry pullulan powders are white and non-hygroscopic and dissolve readily in hot or cold water. Pullulan solutions are of relatively low viscosity. The viscosity of pullulan solutions is stable to heating, changes in pH, and most metal ions, including sodium chloride.
Applications
Pullulan can be used as either an innovative or decorative film or used in granule form for:
Tabletting: Pullulan is an excellent tabletting excipient.
Pan coating: Pullulan with its excellent adhesive properties and extremely low viscosity is ideally suited for pan-coating chewing gum, chocolate and candies.

Agglomeration: Pullulan has about double the adhesive strength of food starch. This property combined with its lack of flavor enables it to be used effectively in typical agglomeration processes.

Sauces and dressings: Due to its ‘a(chǎn)dhesive properties’ use of granular pullulan in sauces improves their ‘on product’ retention without unduly increasing sauce viscosity.

Innovative soft candy: Incorporation of 2-3% Pullulan, enables innovative soft chewy candies to be made by a cold extrusion process without resorting to conventional boiling. This enables heart sensitive materials to be used in these products.

Coatings: Pullulan solutions which are odorless and flavorless can be used as a coating for a wide range of food products to improve appearance, reduce blemishes and increase shelf life.

Capsules: Pullulan can be formed into capsules for use with pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. Its non-animal origin ensures there are no safely concerns with consumers and it is suitability for all consumers groups.

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