Phytoglycogen is a highly branched polysaccaride used to store glucose in a similar way that glycogen is the glucose storage for animals. Phytoglycogen is made up of branched, flexible chains on glucose molecules that grow similarly to synthetic dendrimers. The special structure of the phytoglycogen allows them to have low viscosity, high water retention, as well as high stability in water, and stabilize bioactive compounds and form films on surfaces. Thus, this monodisperse phytoglycogen nanoparticle is able to be used in many different technologies.[1]
- ^ Structure and Hydration of Highly-Branched, Monodisperse Phytoglycogen Nanoparticles Jonathan D. Nickels, John Atkinson, Erzsebet Papp-Szabo, Christopher Stanley, Souleymane O. Diallo, Stefania Perticaroli, Benjamin Baylis, Perry Mahon, Georg Ehlers, John Katsaras, and John R. Dutcher 2016 17 (3), 735-743 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01393