Dextran (molecular weight 70,000 Da, often written Dextran-70) is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide composed mainly of α-1,6 linked D-glucose units with occasional α-1,3 branching. It is produced by certain bacteria, especially Leuconostoc mesenteroides, during the fermentation of sucrose. Because of its high solubility in water, biocompatibility, and relatively stable molecular size, Dextran-70 is widely used in biomedical, pharmaceutical, and biochemical applications.Dextran-70 appears as a white to off-white powder that readily dissolves in water to form a clear, viscous solution. The molecular weight of approximately 70 kDa gives it useful colloid-forming and osmotic properties, which makes it valuable in medical formulations and laboratory techniques. In the medical field, Dextran-70 has been used as a plasma volume expander to treat conditions such as shock or severe blood loss. By increasing the osmotic pressure of blood plasma, it helps retain fluid within the circulatory system and improves blood flow. Additionally, it can reduce blood viscosity and inhibit red blood cell aggregation. n biochemistry and biotechnology, Dextran-70 is commonly employed in techniques such as cell separation, chromatography matrices, and macromolecular crowding studies. It also serves as a stabilizer, carrier molecule, and viscosity-enhancing agent in pharmaceutical and diagnostic preparations. Overall, Dextran-70 is an important biopolymer valued for its water solubility, biocompatibility, and versatile functional properties, making it useful in both clinical medicine and laboratory research.
