Pullulan: A novel molecule for biomedical applications

Abstract

Pullulan is an imperative natural polymer produced commercially by yeast like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans. It is non-toxic, non-immunogenic, non-carcinogenic and non-mutagenic in nature. The structure of pullulan consist unique linkage pattern with two α-(1→4) and one α-(1→6) glycosidic bonds in maltotriose repeating units (G₃). Pullulan endows distinctive physical traits due to the presence of nine hydroxyl groups on glucopyranose rings of G₃ units. It can be derivatized in various forms by substituting these hydroxyl groups to enhance its utility in biomedical applications. Pullulan and its derivatives are completely explored for their applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Owing to these special properties, native pullulan and its derivatives possess potential application in multiple diagnostics. This review presents elaborated discussion on role of pullulan and its derivatives in various biomedical applications e.g. drug delivery, gene targeting, tissue engineering, vaccination, plasma substitution, chaperone-like activity, medical imaging, insulinotropic activity, pharmaceutical dosages formation, coating, etc.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Molecular chaperons; Plasma expander; Pullulan; Tissue engineering; Vaccination.