Natural and edible biopolymer poly-γ-glutamic acid: synthesis, production, and applications

Poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA) is a very promising biodegradable polymer that is produced by Bacillus subtilis. γ‐PGA is water‐soluble, anionic, biodegradable, and edible. This paper reviews the production of a strain of γ‐PGA and recent developments with respect to applications in terms of Ca absorption, moisturizing properties, γ‐PGA conjugation, super absorbent polymer, and so on. Our recent research shows that γ‐PGA can be used as an immune‐stimulating and anti‐tumor agent, especially at high molecular weight. © 2005 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Chem Rec 5: 352–366; 2005: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.20061 This article describes the synthesis and production of high molecular weight poly‐γ‐glutamic acid (γ‐PGA) and its various applications in industrial fields. γ‐PGA, produced by Bacillus subtilis (chungkookjang), has a very high molecular weight of over 2,000 kDa and shows unique characteristics for various industrial applications. γ‐PGA meets the present demands of the new biomaterial industry for health care issues.