A comparative study of sulfated tara gum: RSM optimization and structural characterization

Superabsorbent quaternary ammonium guar gum hydrogel with controlled release of humic acid for soil improvement and plant growth

Growing plants in karst areas tends to be difficult due to the easy loss of water and soil. To enhance soil agglomeration, water retention, and soil fertility, this study developed a physically and chemically crosslinked hydrogel prepared from quaternary ammonium guar gum and humic acid. The results showed that non-covalent dynamic bonds between the two components delayed humic acid release into the soil, with a release rate of only 35 % after 240 h. The presence of four hydrophilic groups (quaternary ammonium, hydroxyl, carboxyl, and carbonyl) in the hydrogel more than doubled the soil's water retention capacity. The interaction between hydrogel and soil minerals (especially carbonate and silica) promoted hydrogel-soil and soil‑carbonate adhesion, and the adhesion strength between soil particles was enhanced by 650 %. Moreover, compared with direct fertilization, this degradable hydrogel not only increased the germination rate (100 %) and growth status of mung beans but also reduced the negative effects of excessive fertilization on plant roots. The study provides an eco-friendly, low-cost, and intelligent system for soil improvement in karst areas. It further proves the considerable application potential of hydrogels in agriculture.

Seed gum-based polysaccharides hydrogels for sustainable agriculture: A review

Globally, water scarcity in arid and semiarid regions has become one of the critical issues that hinder sustainable agriculture. Agriculture, being a major water consumer, presents several challenges that affect water availability. Hydrogels derived from polysaccharides seed gums are hydrophilic polymers capable of retaining substantial moisture in their three-dimensional network and releasing it back into the soil during drought conditions. Implementation of hydrogels in the agricultural sectors enhances soil health, plant growth, and crop yield. Furthermore, the soil permeability, density, structure, texture, and rate of evaporation and percolation of water are modified by hydrogel. In this review, hydrogels based on natural plant seed gum like guar, fenugreek, Tara and locust beans have been discussed in terms of their occurrence, properties, chemical structure, method of synthesis, and swelling behavior. The focus extends to recent applications of modified seed gum-based natural hydrogels in agriculture, serving as soil conditioners and facilitating nutrient delivery to growing plants. The swelling behavior and inherent structure of these hydrogels can help researchers unravel their maximum possibilities to promote sustainable agriculture and attenuate the obstacles propounded by our dynamic nature. The current review also examines market growth, prospects, and challenges of eco-friendly hydrogels in recent times.

State-of-the-art advancement in tara gum polysaccharide (Caesalpinia spinosa) modifications and their potential applications for drug delivery and the food industry

In preference to synthetic or petroleum-based materials, current research in food and pharmaceutical industries has focused on the development of biodegradable and sustainable materials due to their low toxicity, and biocompatibility. In particular, the natural water-soluble polysaccharide tara gum (Caesalpinia spinosa) has been widely used as a food-grade and drug-delivery agent due to its biodegradability, and biocompatibility. Moreover, owing to its easily modifiable hydroxy groups, tara gum, and its derivatives have been employed as food packaging films and pharmaceutical materials. In the present critical review, facile grafting methods of tara gum are reviewed, and an up-to-date comprehensive application of tara gum polysaccharides revealed their uses in pH-sensitive food packaging. In addition, modified tara gum materials exhibited improved drug delivery applications with biocompatible properties. The non-toxic nature and non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic rheological properties as well as the synergistic behavior of tara gum with other polysaccharides explore its further industrial applications in several fields. Additionally, several approaches for improving tara gum for use as a stabilizer and thickener for food items, and monitoring food spoilage, have provided notable customized characteristics. In brief, its many advantages make tara gum polysaccharide a promising material for applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Effect of intragranular/extragranular tara gum on sustained gastrointestinal drug delivery from semi-IPN hydrogel matrices

The present research was undertaken to develop semi-IPN hydrogel matrix tablets of tara gum (TG) and carboxymethyl TG (CMTG) for sustained gastrointestinal delivery of highly water soluble tramadol hydrochloride (TH). The matrix tablets were developed by a hybrid process of wet granulation and direct compression technique. Carboxymethyl TG was crosslinked with dual cross-linking ions (Al3+/Ca2+). The uncross-linked component of the semi-IPN matrix was either incorporated within the granules (intragranular TG) or incorporated outside the granules (extragranular TG), prior to compression. The effect of intragranular/extragranular TG on the swelling, erosion and TH release characteristics from the semi-IPN hydrogel matrix tablets was investigated. The key finding of the investigation indicated that intragranular TG expedited TH release, while extragranular TG sustained TH release. Moreover, the effect of cross-linking ions on viscosity, rigidity, cross-link density and TH release behavior from hydrogel matrices was investigated. In-vivo pharmacokinetic performance of the optimized extragranular TG semi-IPN hydrogel matrix (F15) indicated sustained TH release in gastrointestinal milieu.

Preparation and water erosion resistance properties of tara gum-g-poly (acrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) emulsion

The main purpose of this paper is to synthesize a new kind of green and environmental protection emulsion, which can be used as water erosion resistant materials. Here, a non-toxic polymer was prepared by grafting acrylic acid (AA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto the long chains of tara gum (TG) to synthesize a copolymer emulsion (TG-g-P (AA-co-MMA)). The structure, thermal stability, morphology and wettability of the polymer were characterized by conventional methods, and the effects of key synthesis conditions on the performance of the emulsion (viscosity) were optimized. The erosion resistance and compressive strength of polymer-treated loess and laterite soils were evaluated under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the successful grafting of AA and MMA monomers onto TG improved its thermal stability and viscosity. In soil performance tests with low amounts of polymer additive, a 0.3 wt% application of TG-g-P (AA-co-MMA) to loess could resist continuous precipitation for >30 h with an erosion rate of 2.0 %. The compressive strength of the laterite treated with 0.4 % TG-g-P (AA-co-MMA) was 3.7 MPa, which was about three times that of the untreated soil. The results from this study suggest that TG-g-P (AA-co-MMA) emulsions have good potential for soil remediation applications.

Carboxymethyl modification of Cassia obtusifolia galactomannan and its evaluation as sustained release carrier

Carboxymethylation of Cassia obtusifolia galactomannan was carried out by Williamsons synthesis. Modification of galactomannan was confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared and ¹H-Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The degree of carboxymethyl substitution was found to be 1.69. Carboxymethylation was observed to increase the powder flow, solubility and swelling, while decrease the viscosity and alter the compression characteristics from elastic to plastic. The results of X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies indicated increase in degree of crystallinity. The modified gum was used for preparing diclofenac sodium-loaded, Ca²⁺-gelled beads which were coated with gastroresistant Eudragit-L100. The formulation of beads was optimized using central composite experimental design. The optimal formulation of beads contained carboxymethylated Cassia galactomannan-2.85%,w/v and calcium chloride -15%,w/v, which showed yield -185.4%, entrapment-95.41% and release of 93.32% of diclofenac over 24 h. The release of diclofenac followed first-order kinetics by Super case-II transport. Thus, carboxymethyl Cassia galactomannan appears suitable for sustained drug delivery.