Scleroglucan (β-1,3-β-1,6-glucan) is a typical neutral, non-ionic, high molecular weight, natural microbial β-glucan polysaccharide that is derived non-exclusively from fungi of the genus Sclerotium (Sclerotium rolfsii,S. glucanicume S. delphinii). Compared to synthetic polymers derived from petroleum and natural plant polymers, which have the disadvantage of non-renewable sources, microbial polysaccharides, which have a low production cost and are environmentally sustainable, are the alternative. Scleroglucan is categorised as belonging to the exopolysaccharides which have the advantage of using industrial waste, reduced production times. 

Industrially it occurs as a fine white powder with high thermal stability, it is temperature stable up to 100-120°C, soluble in water.

Refined solutions of commercial Scleroglucan have less stable rheological characteristics when exposed to high temperatures, salts, alkalis (1).

What it is used for and where

Scleroglucan has shown anticancer, antiviral and antimicrobial activities and is used in a wide range of industrial and biotechnological applications.

Medical

A number of studies have discussed and demonstrated Scleroglucan's anti-tumour activity (2) and, in the semi-synthetic version used in medicine, its antiviral inhibitory activity capable of blocking a phase of virus replication following virus attachment (3).

Cosmetics

Thickener. Inserted in personal care products to increase viscosity, smoothness and increase the shine and softness of the product (gel or cream) in which it is inserted. Retains moisture in the skin Used in production to decrease the proportional amount of oil in the formula and to prevent pigment separation. Cosmetics manufacturers believe that Scleroglucan has the effect of soothing and smoothing the skin, however, at the moment, we have not found any scientific studies to confirm this claim. Conditioner in hair care products.

Construction

Self-levelling sealants for floor joints and civil engineering applications on concrete with high penetration power.

Oil

Oil recovery, drilling muds.

Scleroglucan studies

Typical optimal commercial product characteristics Scleroglucan

• Molecular Formula  C₂₄H₄₄O₂₀P₂    C₂₄H₄₀O₂₀
• Molecular Weight     714.5
• CAS  39464-87-4
• UNII    2X51AD1X3T
• EC Number   254-464-6
• DSSTox Substance ID  
• IUPAC  2-[[6-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-phosphanyloxan-4-yl]oxy-4-[3,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-phosphanyloxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol
• InChI=1S/C24H44O20P2/c25-1-5-9(28)13(32)14(33)21(38-5)37-4-8-12(31)18(42-23-16(35)20(44-46)11(30)6(2-26)39-23)15(34)22(40-8)43-19-10(29)7(3-27)41-24(45)17(19)36/h5-36H,1-4,45-46H2 
• InChl Key      FEBUJFMRSBAMES-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• SMILES    C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3C(C(OC(C3O)P)CO)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)OP)O)O)O)O)O)O
• MDL number  
• PubChem Substance ID    
• ChEBI  184545  

Synonyms:

• Polytran
• Sclerotium gum
• Clearogel
• Polytran FS
• Sclerogum
• Sclerosan
• Actigum
• 2-[[6-[3,5-dihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-6-phosphanyloxan-4-yl]oxy-4-[3,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-phosphanyloxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3,5-dihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol
• Betasizofiran

References_________________________________________________________________

(1) Wang Y, McNeil B. Scleroglucan. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 1996;16(3):185-215. DOI: 10.3109/07388559609147421. 

(2) Singh PP, Whistler RL, Tokuzen R, Nakahara W. Scleroglucan, an antitumor polysaccharide from Sclerotium glucanicum. Carbohydr Res. 1974 Oct;37(1):245-7. doi: 10.1016/s0008-6215(00)87078-0.

Jong SC, Donovick R. Antitumor and antiviral substances from fungi. Adv Appl Microbiol. 1989;34:183-262. doi: 10.1016/s0065-2164(08)70319-8.

(3) Mastromarino P, Petruzziello R, Macchia S, Rieti S, Nicoletti R, Orsi N. Antiviral activity of natural and semisynthetic polysaccharides on the early steps of rubella virus infection. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1997 Mar;39(3):339-45. doi: 10.1093/jac/39.3.339. 

(4) Schmid, J., Meyer, V. & Sieber, V. Scleroglucan: biosynthesis, production and application of a versatile hydrocolloid. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 91, 937–947 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-011-3438-5

Compendium of the most significant studies with reference to properties, intake, effects.

Mazzuca C, Bocchinfuso G, Palleschi A, Conflitti P, Grassi M, Di Meo C, Alhaique F, Coviello T. The Influence of pH on the Scleroglucan and Scleroglucan/Borax Systems. Molecules. 2017 Mar 9;22(3):435. doi: 10.3390/molecules22030435.

Abstract. The effects that an increase of environmental pH has on the triple helix of scleroglucan (Sclg) and on the Sclg/borax hydrogel are reported.

Zeng W, Wang J, Shan X, Yu S, Zhou J. Efficient Production of Scleroglucan by Sclerotium rolfsii and Insights Into Molecular Weight Modification by High-Pressure Homogenization. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021 Sep 3;9:748213. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.748213.

Abstract. The developed approaches provide references for the biosynthesis and molecular weight modification of polysaccharides.

Tan R, Lyu Y, Zeng W, Zhou J. Enhancing scleroglucan production by Sclerotium rolfsii WSH-G01 through a pH-shift strategy based on kinetic analysis. Bioresour Technol. 2019 Dec;293:122098. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2019.122098.

Abstract. This study aims to enhance scleroglucan production by Sclerotium rolfsii WSH-G01.

Laroche C, Michaud P. New developments and prospective applications for beta (1,3) glucans. Recent Pat Biotechnol. 2007;1(1):59-73. doi: 10.2174/187220807779813938.

Abstract. This review focuses on these beta-(1,3)-D-glucans with the objective to detail the strategies employed for their extraction and the relation structure-functions identified when they induce biological activities.

Bais D, Trevisan A, Lapasin R, Partal P, Gallegos C. Rheological characterization of polysaccharide-surfactant matrices for cosmetic O/W emulsions. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2005 Oct 15;290(2):546-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2005.04.044.

Abstract. Rheometrical techniques can be profitably used for polysaccharide matrices in order to evaluate their suitability for the preparation of stable cosmetic O/W emulsions. In particular, the rheological properties of aqueous scleroglucan systems were investigated under continuous and oscillatory shear conditions in a polymer concentration range (0.2-1.2% w/w) embracing the sol/gel transition.