Kefiran, a branched polysaccharide: Preparation, properties and applications: A review

Considering harmful effects of the environmental pollution and increased concerns about the synthetic polymers, kefiran has been introduced as a biodegradable polymer due to its nontoxicity. This edible biopolymer and its structural derivations play specific roles in a large number of applications including scaffolds, the reserve materials, and the encapsulation for drug delivery, thanks to its amazing properties such as the protective features, the bifidogenic effects and the antimicrobial activity against some microorganisms. The aim of the present review was to focus on the methods of producing kefiran, its properties and finally its applications, bringing significant changes in various fields.