Pullulan improves the shelf life of the food as it is not a readily assimilable carbon source for bacteria, molds and fungi responsible for spoilage of food. Pullulan is also superior to starch in water retention thus retarding the spoilage of food by drying. Studies indicate that dietary pullulan functions as prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bifidobacteria. It can be used as a binder and stabilizer in food pastes and it can also be used to adhere nuts to cookies.