Curdlan from Alcaligenes faecalis

General description

Curdlan is an insoluble natural polymer with linear structure mainly produced by Alcaligenes faecalis. It is a dietary fiber with gelatin properties.

Application

Curdlan from Alcaligenes faecalis has been used:

• for the stimulation of carp macrophages for regulation of differentially expressed genes
• to stimulate human intestinal epithelial cells for cytokine secretion
• to study its effect on transcriptional responses of inflammation/respiratory burst-associated genes in mouse alveolar macrophages by customized reverse transcription (RT)-PCR based arrays
• as a substrate in β-1,3–1,4-Glucanase activity assay

Biochem/physiol Actions

Curdlan is used as a food additive in the food industry. It improves the elasticity and reduces the embrittling tendency of hydroxyapatite/chitosan scaffold, which aids in bone regeneration.

Curdlan is a (1,3)-β-glucan. It is a pathogen-associated molecular-pattern (PAMP) recognized by the receptor dectin-1. Activation of dectin-1, together with TLR2/TLR6, promotes signaling resulting in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus inducing inflammation.

Preparation Note

For gelation at 70 °C, the concentration of the sodium hydroxide should be 0.01 M.