Читать книгу Biopolymers for Biomedical and Biotechnological Applications - Группа авторов - Страница 28

Dextrans are homopolysaccharides composed of D‐glucose units. Species belonging to the genera Leuconostoc, Weissella, Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, and Streptococcus produced dextran [101,102]. Dextrans have interesting physicochemical properties, such as thickening capacity, emulsifier or stabilizing ability, and high solubility in water. Additionally, its flexible structure is an important characteristic that enables the dextran use as functional hydrocolloid. Dextran is used as thickening agent in cosmetics and foods (e.g. bakery products and confectionery) to improve texture and moisture and prevent sugar crystallization. It is also used in pharmaceutical/biomedicine applications and formerly was applied for drug delivery and blood plasma polymer expander [7,103]. The potential of dextran‐based polymers is being evaluated to form nanofibers for controlled drug release [104], as anticancer therapeutics [105,106], and as hydrogels for wound healing [107]. Dextran is commercialized by some companies, such as Oregon Green and ATTO‐TEC.