Development and Physical Characterization of α-Glucan Nanoparticles

α-Glucans that were enzymatically synthesized from sucrose using glucansucrase cloned from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-1118 were found to have a glass transition temperature of approximately 80 °C. Using high-pressure homogenization (~70 MPa), the α-glucans were converted into nanoparticles of ~120 nm in diameter with a surface potential of ~-3 mV. Fluorescence measurements using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) indicate that the α-glucan nanoparticles have a hydrophobic core that remains intact from 10 to 85 °C. α-Glucan nanoparticles were found to be stable for over 220 days and able to form at three pH levels. Accelerated exposure measurements demonstrated that the α-glucan nanoparticles can endure exposure to elevated temperatures up to 60 °C for 6 h intervals.