Indican

Indican is a polysaccharide comprising (1,3) glucose, (1,4) mannose, (1,4) rhamnose and (1,3 or 4) -0-(1-carboxyethyl)rhamnose units in a molar ratio of about 2:1:1-2:1 respectively; containing 12-15% by weight acetyl units.  Indican is soluble to at least 1% by weight in methanol and in ethylene glycol, forms gels with these solvents, and has an inherent viscosity of about 33.5 dl/g.  It has a number of useful thixotropic properties not least being compatible with organic solvents and having surface-active properties. Indican is produced by fermentation of the gram negative microbe Beijerinkia indica (NCIB 8712).