Pullulan Polymer

In News: Biomaterial from fungal extract helps heal wounds

Pullulan polymer

• The biomaterial is derived from the polymer pullulan which is secreted by the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans.
• It is an exopolysaccharide, that is, this polymer is secreted by the fungus itself into the medium on which it is growing.
• Pullulan as a biomaterial is already successful and widely used commercially.
• It is exploited in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industry because of its non-toxic, non-mutagenic and non-immunogenic properties.
• In the biomedicine sector, it has been used for drug and gene delivery

Disinfecting the wounds and hastening the process of healing

• Pullulan is basically a polymeric chain of glucose by keeping the biocompatible carbohydrate backbone of the polymer intact and adding some quaternary ammonium groups, make the polymer positively charged
• They process the polymer to get a powder which is water-soluble. This solution can be applied on the wound surface and then covered with sterile gauze. This can also be used in a gel form.
• With this gel the wounds can be disinfected and also healed faster.

Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Q.1) What is cas9 protein that is often mentioned in news? (2019)

1. A molecular scissors used in targeted gene editing.
2. A biosensor used in the accurate detection of pathogens in patients.
3. A gene that makes plants pest-resistant
4. A herbicidal substance synthesized in generally modified crops

Q.2) The term ‘ACE2’ is talked about in the context of (2021)

1. genes introduced in the genetically modified plants
2. development of India’s own satellite navigation system
3. radio collar for wildlife tracking
4. spread of viral diseases

Source: The Hindu