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Low Acyl Gellan - Emerging Applications In Food, Medicine, And Biotechnology
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Hermine เมื่อวันที่ : ศุกร์ ที่ 5 เดือน กันยายน พ.ศ.2568
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Low acyl gellan is gaining global attention as a versatile hydrocolloid with applications extending far beyond traditional food stabilization. With its ability to form rigid, transparent, and thermally stable gels, low acyl gellan is increasingly positioned as a sustainable, multifunctional biopolymer in industries ranging from food and pharmaceuticals to tissue engineering and biotechnology.<br><br>Structural Characteristics of Low Acyl Gellan<br><br>Low acyl gellan is produced by Sphingomonas elodea fermentation and consists of repeating tetrasaccharide units of glucose, glucuronic acid, and rhamnose. Unlike high acyl gellan, the low acyl variant lacks O-acyl groups, which results in brittle, firm, and heat-resistant gels (Sworn, 2021). Its gelling properties are strongly cation-dependent, often requiring calcium or magnesium ions for robust gelation (Mao et al., 2022).<br><br>Food and Beverage Applications<br><br>Particle Suspension in Drinks _ Used in fruit juices and plant-based milks to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/search/all?keywords=prevent%20sedimentation">prevent sedimentation</a> without altering flavor.<br><br><a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Confectionery">Confectionery</a> and Jellies _ Provides clear, shape-retaining gels suitable for sugar-reduced candies.<br><br>Bakery Fillings and Sauces _ Maintains texture under heat treatment and storage conditions.<br><br>Fat Reduction _ Acts as a fat replacer in low-calorie foods, improving mouthfeel (Nitta et al., 2020).<br><br>Its clean-label status makes low acyl gellan particularly attractive for brands responding to consumer demand for natural, plant-based ingredients.<br><br>Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Potential<br><br>Drug Delivery Systems: <a href="https://ingreland.com/insights/low-acyl-gellan/">Low acyl gellan</a> hydrogels allow encapsulation and controlled release of small molecules and biologics (Patel et al., 2021).<br><br>Wound Healing: Combined with antimicrobial nanoparticles, it accelerates tissue repair (Das et al., 2023).<br><br>Ophthalmic Applications: Low acyl gellan is used in eye drops where it gels upon contact with tear fluid, prolonging drug residence time (Rathore et al., 2022).<br><br>Tissue Engineering: Its rigid network is promising for bone and cartilage scaffolds.<br><br>Biotechnology and Advanced Uses<br><br>3D Bioprinting _ Low acyl gellan-based bioinks are being tested for precision printing of tissues and organs (Chaudhary et al., 2022).<br><br>Encapsulation of Probiotics _ Protects beneficial microbes during storage and gastrointestinal transit (Yang et al., 2021).<br><br>Environmental Applications _ Modified gels can adsorb heavy metals and pollutants from water sources.<br><br>Low Acyl vs. High Acyl Gellan: Quick Comparison<br>Property Low Acyl Gellan High Acyl Gellan<br>Gel Type Rigid, brittle, transparent Soft, elastic, opaque<br>Stability High thermal and acid stability Moderate stability<br>Typical Uses Beverages, drug delivery, 3D printing Dairy, sauces, elastic gels<br>Industrial Relevance<br><br>Innovative ingredient companies such as Ingreland are leading the exploration of low acyl gellan in food and biopharma markets. Its role in replacing synthetic stabilizers and enabling next-generation biomaterials underlines its importance in a circular and sustainable economy.<br><br>Future Directions<br><br>Hybrid Hydrocolloids: Blends of low acyl gellan with xanthan or pectin for customized textures.<br><br>Smart Hydrogels: Responsive gels that react to temperature, pH, or light for medical implants.<br><br>Global Food Innovation: Broader acceptance in plant-based and functional foods.
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