Natural and edible biopolymer poly-gamma-glutamic acid: synthesis, production, and applications.
Poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) is a very promising biodegradable polymer that is produced by Bacillus subtilis. Gamma-PGA is water-soluble, anionic, biodegradable, and edible. This paper reviews the production of a strain of gamma-PGA and recent developments with respect to applications in terms of Ca absorption, moisturizing properties, gamma-PGA conjugation, super absorbent polymer, and so on. Our recent research shows that gamma-PGA can be used as an immune-stimulating and anti-tumor agent, especially at high molecular weight.
Sung
Moon-Hee
MH
Department of Bio & Nanochemistry, Kookmin University, 861-1 Chongnung-dong, Songbuk-gu, Seoul 136-702, Korea. smoonhee@kookmin.ac.kr
Park
Chung
C
Kim
Chul-Joong
CJ
Poo
Haryoung
H
Soda
Kenji
K
Ashiuchi
Makoto
M
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D001688:Biological Products / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001688:Biological Products; D001704:Biopolymers; C511775:poly(gamma-glutamic acid); D011099:Polyglutamic Acid