POLYSACCHARIDE USES
| Key examples: | |||
| Functional Properties | Application |
(non- derivatized) |
(synthetic derivatives) |
| stiff, water
insoluble |
fibers, films |
cellulose |
cellulose
acetate |
| thickening or
gelling of aqueous mixtures |
rheology
modifiers in foods, cosmetics, paints, drug
delivery, oil and gas recovery |
alginate, xanthan, guar, dextran |
methylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose |
| film forming |
barrier films, encapsulation |
pullulan |
cellulose
acetate and nitrate, ethyl cellulose, starch acetate |
| thermoplastic |
molded
articles, films |
starch |
cellulose
acetate (and other esters) |
| adhesion |
adhesives, coatings |
starch |
chitosan, methylcellulose |
| amphiphilic |
emulsifier,
surfactant, associative thickener |
emulsan |
ethyl hydroxyethyl- cellulose |