Candy, with its myriad of colors, flavors, and textures, delights taste buds around the world. Behind the scenes of its sweet allure lies a complex process of formulation and manufacturing, where ingredients like pullulan play a crucial role. Pullulan, a natural polysaccharide produced from the fermentation of starch by Aureobasidium pullulans, serves as an exceptional film former in the confectionery industry.
What is Pullulan film former?
Pullulan film former refers to the property or function of Pullulan, a polysaccharide material, to form a film in an aqueous environment. Pullulan is a naturally occurring polysaccharide produced by fermentation of the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans and has many useful properties, including its ability to form clear, flexible and strong films in water.
Pullulan film former is usually used in food, medicine, cosmetics and other fields as a functional ingredient. In the field of medicine, it is used as a coating agent for pharmaceutical tablets, capsules and liquid preparations; in the field of food, it is used as a coating material for packaging materials, candies, etc.; in the field of cosmetics, it is used as a coating agent for face creams, makeup, etc. Film-forming agent for water, lipstick and other products.
Therefore, candy often encounters a series of problems such as oxidation and melting during transportation, shelf, and storage. Candy packaging requires special attention. Pullulan film former plays an important role in the packaging of candy.
Features of Pullulan film former include:
Transparency and flexibility: The film formed generally has good transparency and flexibility, allowing it to protect the candy without affecting the appearance of the product.
Protection: Pullulan film can effectively protect candies from the external environment, such as oxygen, moisture, microorganisms, etc., extending the shelf life of candies.
Biocompatibility: As a natural polysaccharide, Pullulan has good biocompatibility and biodegradability and is suitable for products in contact with human skin or mucous membranes. As a film-forming agent in candies it won't be a burden on the body.
To sum up, Pullulan film former refers to the properties and functions of Pullulan when used as a film-forming agent. It can be widely used in products in different fields to provide protection, controlled release and aesthetic effects.
Pullulan film former The principle of protecting candy
As a film-forming agent, Pullulan can be used to protect candies. The principle mainly involves the following aspects:
Forms a protective barrier. Pullulan forms a uniform, transparent protective film covering the surface of the candy when exposed to moisture. This film can effectively block the intrusion of air, moisture and microorganisms, slow down the oxidation, hydrolysis and mildew of the candy, thereby extending its shelf life.
Prevent sticking and deformation. During the production and packaging process, candies are often prone to sticking and deformation. The use of Pullulan film can effectively prevent the adhesion between candies and maintain their shape and appearance. It can also prevent adhesion between candies and packaging materials and reduce packaging damage.
Improved appearance and taste. Pullulan film has excellent transparency and gloss, making the surface of the candy smoother and more even, and increasing its visual appeal. In addition, the toughness and elasticity of the film can improve the taste of the candy, making it crispier or chewier, increasing consumer satisfaction.
Maintain aroma and taste. Pullulan film has good gas and aroma barrier properties, which can effectively prevent the aroma and taste in candies from being affected or volatilized by the external environment. This helps maintain the original flavor and texture of the candy, ensuring consumers have a consistent delicious experience when eating it.
Preserving Freshness
Beyond aesthetics, the film formed by pullulan serves a vital role in preserving the freshness and quality of candies. Acting as a barrier against moisture, oxygen, and other external contaminants, pullulan film helps prevent moisture loss, oxidation, and spoilage, thereby extending the shelf life of candies. This preservation of freshness ensures that each candy maintains its flavor, texture, and aroma, delivering a delightful sensory experience with every bite.
Ensuring Product Stability
Pullulan film also contributes to the stability and structural integrity of candies, particularly those with delicate or sticky fillings. By encapsulating the filling within a protective layer, pullulan film prevents leakage, sticking, and deformation during handling, transportation, and storage. This ensures that candies retain their shape, consistency, and overall appearance, meeting consumer expectations for quality and consistency.
Enabling Innovative Formulations
Moreover, pullulan's versatility as a film former allows for the creation of innovative candy formulations with unique textures, flavors, and functional benefits. It can be used to encapsulate active ingredients such as vitamins, probiotics, or functional extracts, transforming candies into health-conscious snacks or dietary supplements. Additionally, pullulan film can be flavored or colored to enhance the sensory experience, offering endless possibilities for creative confectionery products.
Using Pullulan as a film-forming agent can effectively protect candies, extend their shelf life, enhance their appearance and taste, and maintain the stability of their aroma and taste, thereby meeting consumer demand for high-quality candies.
Basic Information
Attribute | Details |
Storage Type | Airtight, cool dry place |
Specification | USP standard |
Shelf Life | 2 years |
Manufacturer | Mimei Biotech |
Ingredients | None |
Content | Pullulan |
Address | Weifang City, China |
Instruction for Use | Used in pharma, food, cosmetic industries |
Place of Origin | China |
Product Name | Pullulan |
Appearance | White Powder |
Grade | Cosmetic grade pullulan |
Specification | 99% |
Viscosity | 15~180 |
pH | 5.0~8.0 |
Certification | NOP/KOSHER/HALAL/ISO |
Sample | Freely provided |
Shelf Life | 2 Years |
What are the specifications of pullulan used in confectionery?
Below are manufacturers' pullulan specifications for use in candy packaging applications.
Test Parameter | Unit | Specification | Description |
Pullulan | White Powder | ||
Viscosity (10% solution, 30℃) | mm²/s | 15-180 | |
Residue on ignition | w/% | ≤1.0 | |
pH | mol/L | 5.0~8.0 | |
Loss of drying | w/% | ≤10 | |
Assay (content of Mono-,di-,oligosaccharides) | w/% | ≤10 | |
Nitrogen Determination | w/% | ≤0.05 | |
Heavy Metals | PPM | ≤10 | |
Total aerobic microbial count | CFU/g | ≤100 | |
Total Yeast/mold count | CFU/g | ≤100 | |
Escherichia coli | MPN/g | Negative |
Enhancing Candy Appeal
Pullulan's primary function in candy production is to create a thin, transparent film that encapsulates the confectionery, offering several benefits. Firstly, it enhances the visual appeal of candies by providing a glossy, shiny finish, making them more attractive to consumers. This glossy appearance adds an element of sophistication to candies, especially those presented in transparent packaging, enticing consumers with their alluring sheen.
Meeting Consumer Preferences
In today's health-conscious and environmentally-aware consumer landscape, pullulan's natural origin and biodegradability resonate with consumers seeking clean label and sustainable options. As a plant-derived ingredient free from synthetic additives or GMOs, pullulan aligns with consumer preferences for natural, wholesome ingredients in their food choices. Its biodegradability further reduces environmental impact, appealing to eco-conscious consumers concerned about sustainability.
In conclusion, pullulan serves as a versatile and indispensable ingredient in the confectionery industry, particularly as a film former for candies. Its ability to enhance visual appeal, preserve freshness, ensure product stability, enable innovation, and meet consumer preferences makes it an invaluable asset to candy manufacturers worldwide. As consumer demand for high-quality, natural, and sustainable confectionery products continues to grow, pullulan's role in shaping the future of candy formulations is poised to expand, offering sweet delights that captivate both taste buds and hearts.
If you are looking for pullulan as a film former or thickener, please contact us.