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Curdlan and other bacterial (1→3)-β-d-glucans

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Abstract

Three structural classes of (1→3)-β-d-glucans are encountered in some important soil-dwelling, plant-associated or human pathogenic bacteria. Linear (1→3)-β-glucans and side-chain-branched (1→3,1→2)-β-glucans are major constituents of capsular materials, with roles in bacterial aggregation, virulence and carbohydrate storage. Cyclic (1→3,1→6)-β-glucans are predominantly periplasmic, serving in osmotic adaptation. Curdlan, the linear (1→3)-β-glucan from Agrobacterium, has unique rheological and thermal gelling properties, with applications in the food industry and other sectors. This review includes information on the structure, properties and molecular genetics of the bacterial (1→3)-β-glucans, together with an overview of the physiology and biotechnology of curdlan production and applications of this biopolymer and its derivatives.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Ann Matthysse for critically reading the manuscript. Work in the laboratories of B.A.S. and V.A.S. was supported, in part, by Australian Research Council Grants (AO 9925079, LX 0211339). M.M. was the recipient of an Australian Postgraduate Award.

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Author notes

  1. M. McIntosh

    Present address: Lehrstuhl für Genetik, Universität Bielefeld, Postfach 100131, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany

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  1. Department of Biochemistry, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Victoria, Australia

    M. McIntosh & B. A. Stone

  2. Department of Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, 3086, Victoria, Australia

    V. A. Stanisich

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Correspondence to B. A. Stone.

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McIntosh, M., Stone, B.A. & Stanisich, V.A. Curdlan and other bacterial (1→3)-β-d-glucans. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 68, 163–173 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-1959-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-005-1959-5

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