Tag: Dextran

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, certain food-grade dextrans hold a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status, confirming that, yes, dextran is edible in specific applications. This microbial polysaccharide serves various functions in the food industry, primarily as a thickener and stabilizer.

Over one million tonnes of cellulose, a polysaccharide composed entirely of glucose subunits, is produced annually, making it the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. Various other essential polysaccharides also contain only glucose subunits, including starch for energy storage in plants and glycogen for energy storage in animals. Despite their shared fundamental building block, the distinct structural arrangement of these glucose units results in vastly different functions and properties.

Raw sugar, often seen as a less processed alternative, contains several natural and processed impurities that affect its color and taste. These include residual molasses, inorganic ash, and various organic compounds that are removed during the refining process to produce pure white sugar.