Colanic acid (CAS: 9012-87-7), also known as colanic acid, has emerged as a valuable functional ingredient with diverse applications in the realms of food, cosmetics, and healthcare, owing to its unique loose porous structure, hydrophilic properties, and potential biological activities.
Loose and Porous Structure: The loose and porous structure of colanic acid imparts excellent water retention properties. This attribute proves beneficial in food formulation by adjusting the texture and mouthfeel of products. For instance, the addition of colanic acid enhances product moistness, thereby improving taste.
Hydrophilic Groups: The abundant hydrophilic groups on the surface of colanic acid contribute to its excellent hydrophilic properties. This enables colanic acid to effectively retain moisture in foods, extending shelf life and preventing hardening or drying out. In the production of moisturizing food products, colanic acid enhances moisturization, thickening, and stability, thereby elevating the texture, taste, and preservation performance of food.
Biological Properties: Colanic acid exhibits characteristics of an active biological macromolecule, suggesting potential biological activities in food, such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. This positions colanic acid as a promising functional ingredient capable of enhancing the nutritional and health benefits of healthy foods.
Composition and Synthesis: As an exopolysaccharide synthesized by bacteria, colanic acid serves as a chemical defense substance, protecting cell surfaces and contributing to biofilm formation. Its composition includes polyanionic heterogeneous polysaccharides with hexasaccharide repeating units containing glucose, fucose, galactose, and glucuronic acid. Additionally, O-acetyl and pyruvate side chains surround these sugar molecules.
Daily Care Application: Colanic acid (CA) finds diverse applications in daily care. Its porous cellulose structure and abundant hydrophilic groups form an excellent hydrogel on the surface, showcasing remarkable water retention capacity and a soft texture. These properties make colanic acid well-suited for incorporation into skin care products.
Cosmetic and Healthcare Markets: As an exopolysaccharide synthesized by Bacillus subtilis, colanic acid exhibits broad application prospects in cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical fields. The component L-fucose within CA demonstrates various physiological activities, including skin whitening, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. The porous cellulose structure and numerous hydrophilic groups make colanic acid an exceptional hydrogel, positioning it as an ideal candidate for applications in the cosmetic and healthcare markets.
