Lipophilization of curdlan granules by heat-treatment or chlorination

Curdlan granules showed low swelling and water binding capacity after heat-treatment. On the other hand, heavy lipophilization of the heated curdlan granules could be observed. This lipophilization was lost by pepsin treatment, which indicated that the surface protein on the curdlan granules was changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic (lipophilic) nature by heat-treatment. The curdlan was stained with Coomassie brilliant blue, which showed the presence of protein on the surface of curdlan granules. The lipophilization of curdlan granules was also obtained by chlorination.