Abstract: When pullulan is used as a binder in coating seeds with inorganic materials, growth hormone preparations, etc., a satisfactory binding effect is obtained with smaller amounts than when conventional binders are used. The resulting inorganic coatings on the seeds are superior in surface hardness and disintegration characteristics in the soil after sowing. Germination of the seed and subsequent growth are not affected by pullulan. Chemically modified pullulan can also be used.

Abstract: A molded pullulan can be water-insolubilized by treatment with, as the combination of a crosslinking agent with a catalyst, at least one of the combinations of (1) formaldehyde with zinc chloride, (2) glyoxal with magnesium chloride, and (3) formaldehyde or glyoxal with hydrogen chloride gas or sulfurous acid gas.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprising pullulan and an ethylenic compound is obtained by polymerizing the ethylenic compound in the presence of pullulan and in the presence or absence of a solvent and a catalyst. The polymer compositions are novel composition which have the characteristics of the pullulan in combination with those of the ethylenic compound, and are useful as various industrial chemicals such as vehicles of paints and inks, organic pigments, paper- and fiber-treating agents, information-recording agents, adhesives, resins, packing materials, additives for concrete and mortar, impregnate materials for wood, cosmetics, etc.

Abstract: A shaped matter of tobacco excellent in aroma and flavor is obtained by coating and binding starting tobacco materials with pullulan or a pullulan derivative.

Abstract: A multilayered molded plastic having at least one layer comprising pullulan. The molded plastic is low in gas permeability, transparent, high in strength and non-toxic.

Abstract: The surface of a molded pullulan type resin is coated with a thermosetting resin film, whereby a water-insoluble molded pullulan type resin can be obtained while retaining such excellent properties of the pullulan type resin as transparency, toughness, gas impermeability and pollution-freeness.

Abstract: A porous thermoplastic resin sheet is obtained by molding into a sheet a mixture comprising 100 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin and 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of a pullulan powder, and then immersing the resulting thermoplastic resin sheet in water to dissolve-out and remove the said pullulan powder.

Abstract: A cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase having high heat stability is obtained from the cell-free broth of a culture of Bacillus stearothermophilus. The cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase gives higher yields of cyclodextrin from starch and higher transfer ratios of glucose in starch or partial starch hydrolyzate to sucrose than known cyclodextrin glycosyltransferases.

Abstract: A foamed plastic of a resin composition comprising a pullulan type resin and a thermoplastic resin.When a resin composition comprising a pullulan type resin and a thermoplastic resin is foamed, the resulting foamed plastic is improved in moisture and water absorptivity which is low in the case of a foamed plastic composed of the thermoplastic resin, and in water resistance which is low in the case of a foamed plastic composed of the pullulan type resin.

Abstract: A resin-coated high pressure glass bottle prepared by forming a first layer with pullulan on the exterior surface of a high pressure glass bottle and then overcoating this first layer with a resin of high alkali resistance, e.g. an epoxy, urethane or ethyl cellulose resin.

Abstract: A cosmetic can be improved and enhanced in its effect when incorporated with pullulan, which is a linear high polymer having repetition units, bonded through .alpha.-1,6-linkages, of maltotriose, a trimer of glucose, and is represented by the formula, ##SPC1##Wherein n represents the polymerization degree and is an integer of 10 to 10,000.

Abstract: A molded foam can be easily obtained by blending pullulan, modified pullulan or a mixture thereof with a foaming agent capable of yielding a gas at below the decomposition temperature thereof, and, if necessary, with a plasticizer or softener, and then molding the resulting mixture according to a conventional thermoplastic resin-molding process at a temperature at which the said pullulan, modified pullulan or mixture thereof is in a plastified state, and at a temperature above the gas-yielding temperature of said foaming agent and below the decomposition temperature of said pullulan, modified pullulan or mixture thereof. The molded foam thus obtained is not only well comparable in mechanical, chemical and physical properties to molded foams composed of conventional thermoplastic synthetic resins, but also has such excellent characteristics that it can spontaneously be decomposed on standing outdoors, and hence can be easily discarded without any such fear as to cause environmental pollution.

Abstract: A photosensitive resin composition comprising pullulan, which is a polymer having repetition units of maltotriose and is represented by the formula, ##SPC1##Wherein n is an integer of 20 to 8,000, and/or a derivative thereof, a photopolymerizable monomer, a photosensitizer and a thermal polymerization inhibitor, or comprising the said pullulan, which has been incorporated with a photoactive reaction group to provide photosensitivity, and a photosensitizer, is a novel composition low in viscosity which can be prepared by use of water and can be formed into a photosensitive plate capable of being developed with water to give a clear image. Since the pullulan in said composition has no toxicity, the waste water formed at the time of development of said photosensitive plate can be treated with ease.

Abstract: A specific paper, which is soluble in and easily destroyable with water, is obtained by subjecting to papermaking a suspension of fibers of pullulan, which is a linear high polymer having repetition units, bonded through .alpha.-1,6-linkages, of maltotriose, a trimer of glucose, and has a structure represented by the formula, ##SPC1##Wherein n is an integer of 20 to 10,000 which represents the polymerization degree, or, if necessary, a suspension of said pullulan fibers in admixture with vegetable fibers such as wood fibers, flax or ramie fibers.

Abstract: Hydrogenated pullulan is produced by the reaction of an aqueous solution of pullulan with hydrogen gas under pressure in the presence of suitable catalysts until the reducing property of the solution disappears. The hydrogenated pullulan is much more resistant to heat than pullulan and its aqueous solution hardly loses viscosity and is not colored under heat treatment. The hydrogenated pullulan is much less absorbable by the intestinal walls than pullulan so as to reduce more effectively the caloric value of foods when it is mixed with foods. Shaped bodies such as films, sheets, plates, capsules, containers, coatings and fibers are readily prepared in a conventional manner. The films are practically impervious to atmospheric oxygen and suitable as packaging material.