In recent years, with the development of science and technology, the technology of China’s food processing industry has further developed, in which the application of polysaccharides brings more benefits to food processing. Polysaccharides have more biological functions, can constitute extracellular structural material, can also constitute genetic material and enzymes, etc. Polysaccharides have a variety of pharmacology, is a good human application of medicines, the application of the food industry is also very extensive.

Characteristics and specific applications of microbial polysaccharides

1.1 Xanthan Gum
1.1.1 Structural properties
Microbial polysaccharide, xanthan gum is more widely used, polysaccharide and wild yellow monocyte bacteria have a great relationship, this polysaccharide is an acidic extracellular heteropolysaccharide, its molecular composition is mainly D-glucose and acetic acid and other substances, which the primary structure of the D-glucose base of the main chain, the end of the molecule’s side chain to the pyruvic acid is mainly pyruvic acid, pyruvic acid content affects the properties of polysaccharides. The structure of xanthan gum is unique, with good viscosity synergy and low concentration and high viscosity, good dispersion characteristics of microbial polysaccharides in the food processing industry is widely used.

1.1.2 Specific applications
Xanthan gum can be used in the production of cake, improve the cake structure, make the cake seam uniform, more flexible, prolong the shelf life of the cake; in the cream and dairy products, the application of xanthan gum can make the structure of dairy products more solid, the aroma emits better, tastes more delicate; if xanthan gum is applied to the beverage, it will make the beverage have a refreshing sensation, applied to the juice, it can make the liquid more distinct, applied to the production of beer, it can make the effect of bubbles. If xanthan gum is used in beverages, it can make drinks have a refreshing feeling, in fruit juices, it can make the liquid more distinct, in beer, it can make the effect of bubbles better, and the application of xanthan gum in other foods is more extensive, such as jellies and preserved fruits.

1.2 Gellan gum
1.2.1 Properties
This polysaccharide is fermented by Pseudomonas Illericola, which requires the addition of carbohydrates during fermentation, is mainly anionic linear, has a double helix structure, and the basic constituent units are four sugar molecules. Gellan gum can form a transparent gel when the dosage is low, and this polysaccharide can make the gel contain a lot of juice, good release, melt in the mouth, good stability, and the internal structure won’t change with time and temperature during storage.

1.2.2 Specific application
The earliest application of Gellan gum in our country is in 1996, it has good gel performance, can replace agar, usually used in beverage, pastry and dairy products, in the production of jam and jelly, used as a gelling agent.

1.3 Short-stemmed mold polysaccharide
1.3.1 Structural properties
This polysaccharide is also known as Pullulan polysaccharide, which is mainly derived from Aspergillus terreus, is a kind of polyglucose, through repeated linkage into maltotriose, connected to a polymer polysaccharide, this polysaccharide is colorless and tasteless, has good acid resistance and heat resistance, good adhesion, but also has a gas barrier properties, this polysaccharide in the field of medicine is more widely used.

1.3.2 Specific applications
Most of this polysaccharide is used to make food packaging materials, good gas barrier properties, can effectively prevent food oxidation and deterioration, in the application of meat products and instant noodles and other food products are more widely used, the application of this polysaccharide to make packaging materials can effectively extend the shelf life of food, can be used as a food improver, through the addition of short-stemmed polysaccharides, so that the meat food is more elastic, applied to the seasoning, it will make the seasoning It can be used as food improver.

Properties and specific applications of lactic acid bacteria polysaccharide

2.1 Structural properties
Lactobacillus polysaccharide is divided into two categories, the first one is homopolymerized polysaccharide composed of one kind of monosaccharide, and the other one is heteropolymerized polysaccharide composed of more than two kinds of polysaccharides including two kinds of heteropolymerized polysaccharides.

This polysaccharide originates from plants, microorganisms and algae. Lactobacillus polysaccharides can be extracted in many ways, among which the simplest method is to observe the state of bacterial colonies on agar plates, but the polysaccharides extracted by this method have a low yield, and nowadays the most commonly used extraction method is the organic solution precipitation method. Lactobacillus polysaccharide has good antioxidant activity and anti-biofilm activity, applied in the pharmaceutical industry, has good immune activity, can inhibit the production of cancer cells .

2.2 Specific applications
In the food processing industry, mainly used in the dairy industry, lactic acid bacteria are often used as milk acidification and probiotic fermentation, in which heteropolysaccharide in yogurt fermentation, can make the taste more delicious.

In soy milk fermentation to make the fat lower, increase the texture viscosity, better meet the taste of people. Advantages and disadvantages, lactic acid bacteria polysaccharide in the wine industry is not ideal, in the fermentation process will produce adhesion problems, white wine rheological properties may be affected, easy to rot, so this polysaccharide in the wine industry in the application of rare.

Characteristics and specific applications of animal polysaccharides

3.1 Chitin
3.1.1 Structure of chitin
Chitin is a kind of natural polysaccharide, the content of heavy in nature is second only to cellulose, is the second ranking of polysaccharides on the earth, chitin is mainly extracted from crustacean shells, composed of acetylglucosamine, and the extraction of chitin application must be completed through the decalcification and proteins, resulting in a substance called chitosan, with antibacterial effect, in the management of food processing is mainly used as a freshness preservative.

3.1.2 Specific applications
This polysaccharide has good film-forming properties, food packaging film produced with it can effectively regulate the air inside the bag, preventing water evaporation of food, prolonging the preservation time of fruits and vegetables. Processing chitin and chitosan through research produces a substance called lauric acid, which can be used as food preservation film and can be eaten.

3.2 Properties and Applications of Chondroitin Sulfate
3.2.1 Structural Properties
This polysaccharide is extracted from cartilage tissue and contains D-glucuronic acid of varying lengths, which is hydrolyzed under acidic conditions to produce substances such as aminohexose. Chondroitin sulfate can be divided into different kinds according to its chemical structure, and chondroitin sulfate C is mainly found in marine animals.

3.2.2 Application
Chondroitin sulfate has rich biological functions and is widely used in medicine to treat arthritis and other diseases. In the field of food processing, this substance can be used in food additives to emulsify the food, maintain the humidity of the food, and at the same time can remove the odor in the food.

3.3 Hyaluronic acid
3.3.1 Structural properties
It is an acidic mucopolysaccharide, specifically composed of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, which can lubricate joints, regulate water electrolytes and accelerate wound healing, and is the world’s best moisturizing substance, which is more widely used in cosmetics.

3.3.2 Specific applications
This substance is mostly used in the processing and production of health food, which can be digested and absorbed through oral intake, effectively increasing endogenous origin, with long-lasting effect on the skin, which can become elastic, smooth and glossy, and this product has been launched in different countries and regions.