Funoran

• CAS: 9083-24-3
• Catalog Number: ACM9083243
• Category: Main Products
• Molecular Weight: 0
• Molecular Formula: ClH
• Synonyms: funoran;Gloiopeltis furcata gum
• IUPAC Name: chlorane
• Canonical SMILES: Cl
• InChI Key: VEXZGXHMUGYJMC-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• EC Number: 231-595-7
• UN Number: 1050

Case Study

Development and Characterization of Edible Films Using Funoran

Zhang, Zhisheng, et al. Foods, 2022, 11(19), 2971.

Researchers created edible films with funoran polysaccharide and assessed how plasticizers affected their physicochemical characteristics. Adding plasticizers to the films improved their compatibility, homogeneity and density while keeping thermal stability under 100°C. The application of plasticizers enhanced elongation at break as well as oxygen permeability and light transmittance while improving water vapor permeability but led to a decrease in tensile strength. Optimal performance was achieved with 40% glycerol, yielding films suitable for commercial packaging applications.
Film Preparation
Films were prepared using a casting method. A film-forming solution was created by dissolving 6 g of funoran powder in 700 mL of distilled water (6:700 w/v ratio) under continuous stirring (900 rpm, 60°C, 30 min). The plasticizers glycerol, xylitol, or sorbitol needed to be added at 20-50% weight-to-weight ratio based on funoran to avoid producing brittle films which could not be peeled. After stirring the mixture for 15 minutes we degassed it in a vacuum oven for 2 hours before casting it onto acrylic plates with dimensions of 26 cm × 26 cm × 4 cm and drying it at 60°C for 24 hours. Dried films were conditioned at 43% humidity for 12 h before testing. Samples were labeled G0-G50, X0-X50, and S0-S50, where G, X, and S denote glycerol, xylitol, and sorbitol, respectively, and numbers (0-50) indicate plasticizer concentration.

Effect of Xylitol Gum and Tablets Containing Funoran on the Adhesion of Oral Streptococcus

Inagaki, Satoru, et al. Journal of Oral Biosciences, 2011, 53(1), 82-86.

Research indicates that Funoran prevents the attachment of cariogenic bacteria to saliva-coated hydroxyapatite, suggesting its potential in combating dental caries. This study aimed to investigate whether incorporating Funoran into xylitol chewing gum or tablets enhances their anti-cariogenic properties by reducing the adhesion of cariogenic bacteria.
· Evaluation Methods
The effect of adding Funoran on bacterial adhesion was assessed through scintillation counting with 3H-labeled oral Streptococcus and saliva-coated hydroxyapatite (S-HA) beads.
· Key Findings
The inclusion of Funoran in the chewing gum extract markedly decreased the adhesion of all oral streptococci evaluated to S-HA. Likewise, the tablet extract containing Funoran similarly lowered the adhesion rates of all tested oral streptococci to S-HA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images provided clear evidence that the adherence of S. mutans MT8148R to S-HA was inhibited when treated with a xylitol tablet extract containing 0.1% Funoran.

Funoran for the Preparation of Edible pH-Sensitive FOA Intelligent Films

Liang T, et al. Food Control, 2024, 159, 110300.

This study demonstrates the preparation of edible intelligent films based on Funoran and Ophiopogon japonicus seed anthocyanins (OA), highlighting Funoran's potential in biodegradable, pH-responsive packaging. Precisely 6 g of Funoran was dissolved in 700 mL of distilled water and stirred at 600 rpm at 60 °C for 30 minutes. Glycerol (2.4 g) was added as a plasticizer, followed by 15 minutes of continued stirring. Subsequently, OA solutions at concentrations of 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% were incorporated into the Funoran matrix under identical stirring and temperature conditions to yield film variants FOA0, FOA2, FOA4, and FOA6. The resulting film-forming solutions underwent vacuum degassing for 2 hours before casting into acrylic molds (26 × 26 × 4 cm) and drying at 60 °C for 24 hours. The films were then cooled, peeled off, and conditioned at 43% relative humidity for 12 hours prior to performance evaluation. This method establishes Funoran as a robust film-forming biopolymer, capable of integrating natural anthocyanins for the development of colorimetric sensors in smart packaging applications. The study emphasizes Funoran's excellent film-forming ability, compatibility with bioactive compounds, and suitability for environmentally friendly, functional food packaging.