ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes the basic physical, chemical, and biochemical properties of pullulan. It discusses properties of the biofilm made from pullulan and the composite film containing pullulan along with other polymers. Most pullulan derivatizations are intended to reduce its water solubility or to modify its functional behavior by introducing charged or reactive groups. Sapper et al. combined pullulan with starch to modify the functional characteristics of starch-made biofilm. The mechanical properties of pullulan biofilm include tensile strength and elongation at break. Field emission scanning electron microscopy is usually used to evaluate both surface morphology and the texture of the cross-sectional area of the film. The surface topography of the film is studied by using an atomic force microscope. In the recent years, pullulan has gained immense attention among researchers owing to its unique structural properties and the possibilities of its use in various sectors of pharmaceutical, food, biomedical, and packaging industries.
