- Curdlan is a microbial polysaccharide composed of linear β-(1→3)-glucan chains, produced mainly by bacteria such as Alcaligenes faecalis and certain strains of Agrobacterium. Unlike many other glucans, curdlan is unique because it is water-insoluble and forms strong gels upon heating. Its structural simplicity—consisting only of glucose residues linked by β-(1→3) bonds—underlies its distinctive physicochemical properties, which have attracted considerable attention in food technology, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.
- One of the hallmark features of curdlan is its gel-forming ability. When heated in aqueous suspension, curdlan undergoes a transition that results in thermally stable gels, which can withstand freezing, thawing, and high-temperature processing. This property has led to its widespread use as a food additive in products such as noodles, meat substitutes, and dairy alternatives, where it enhances texture, water retention, and structural stability. Because curdlan is tasteless, odorless, and non-toxic, it can be incorporated into foods without altering their sensory qualities. It is particularly valued in low-fat formulations, where it mimics the mouthfeel of fats, making it an important ingredient in health-conscious and functional foods.
- Beyond food applications, curdlan has shown promising biomedical and pharmaceutical uses. As a β-glucan, it is biologically active and can interact with immune system receptors such as dectin-1, thereby stimulating macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. These interactions enhance immune responses, providing potential applications in cancer immunotherapy, vaccine adjuvants, and antimicrobial defense. Curdlan and its derivatives have also demonstrated antitumor, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory activities, positioning it as a candidate for novel therapeutic interventions. Additionally, curdlan-based hydrogels are being explored in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering, where their biocompatibility and stability provide significant advantages.
- In industrial biotechnology, curdlan serves as a functional biomaterial due to its mechanical strength, film-forming ability, and resistance to degradation. It has potential applications in biodegradable packaging, coatings, and encapsulation technologies. Research is also exploring its role in agriculture, where curdlan derivatives may act as plant elicitors, enhancing resistance to pathogens and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
- From a scientific perspective, curdlan has provided a valuable model for studying the structure-function relationships of β-(1→3)-glucans. Its ability to form ordered triple-helical structures in gels has made it an important system for investigating polysaccharide conformations and their biological interactions. Insights from curdlan research have informed broader studies on glucans in fungi, plants, and bacteria, deepening our understanding of their roles in biology and their potential exploitation in industry.
