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Dextran is a complex carbohydrate that is composed of glucose molecules linked together. It is a type of polysaccharide that is produced by certain bacteria during fermentation processes. Dextran can vary in molecular weight, ranging from relatively low to high, which affects its properties and applications.
Dextran is commonly used in the medical and pharmaceutical industries due to its unique characteristics and versatile nature. It is primarily known for its ability to form gels and provide viscosity to liquids, making it an essential ingredient in various products and applications.
Dextran finds extensive use in the medical field, particularly in blood banking and transfusion medicine. It is often added to blood collection tubes and intravenous fluids to prevent blood clotting and improve flow properties. Dextran is also utilized as a blood plasma expander during surgery, providing volume replacement and stabilizing blood pressure.
Furthermore, Dextran is used as a cryoprotectant in preservation solutions for organs, tissues, and cells. Its ability to form a protective barrier around cells helps prevent damage from freezing and thawing processes.
Dextran is not naturally found in significant quantities in the human body. However, it can be produced through bacterial fermentation of sucrose or glucose by certain strains of bacteria, primarily Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Streptococcus mutans.
Dextran offers several potential health benefits due to its unique properties. These include:
- Blood clot prevention: Dextran's anticoagulant properties make it valuable in blood banking and transfusion medicine. By inhibiting clot formation, it helps maintain the fluidity of blood and prevents blockages or clot-related complications.
- Blood volume expansion: When used as a plasma expander, Dextran can increase blood volume, improving blood flow and maintaining adequate perfusion to organs and tissues.
- Cryopreservation: Dextran plays a crucial role in cryopreservation by acting as a protective agent. Its ability to form a barrier around cells helps reduce cellular damage during freezing and thawing processes, preserving the viability and functionality of organs, tissues, and cells.
- Pharmaceutical applications: Dextran's viscosity and gel-forming properties make it a useful ingredient in various pharmaceutical formulations, including ophthalmic solutions, dental products, wound dressings, and controlled drug delivery systems.
- Immunomodulatory effects: Some studies suggest that Dextran may possess immunomodulatory properties, potentially influencing the immune system's response and promoting anti-inflammatory effects.
- Dextran was first discovered in 1942 during research on bacterial fermentation.
- The molecular weight of Dextran can vary significantly, ranging from a few thousand to several million Daltons.
- Dextran is classified into different types based on its molecular weight, with each type having distinct properties and applications.
- Dextran is a widely used ingredient in the food industry, where it acts as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and texturizer.
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