Thermal behavior of galactomannan guar gum and its periodate oxidation products

Influence of Reduction with NaBH4 and HCl in Obtaining Amino Derivatives of Cashew Gum and Cytotoxic Profile

Tree-exuded gums are natural polymers that represent an abundant raw material in the food and pharmaceutical industries. The cashew gum can be obtained by exudation of trees of the genus Anacardium, a native species of the Brazilian northeast; its polymer consists of monosaccharide units propitious to the action of chemical reactions that tend to improve their intrinsic characteristics among them, as the degree of hydro-solubility. The objective of this work was to modify the exudate gum of Anacardium occidentale (cashew gum (CG)) through an amine reaction. The modification was confirmed by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), zeta potential, and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). In addition, the chemical modification altered the molar mass and surface charge of the CG, and the amino group binding to the CG polymers was confirmed by FTIR spectra. In addition, cytotoxicity tests were performed where cell viability was estimated by an MTT assay on RAW 264.7 macrophages. Through these tests, it was found that the amine caused an increase in the thermal stability of the amino compounds and did not present cytotoxic potential at concentrations below 50.0 mg/L.

Preparation, characterization, release and antianemic studies of guar gum functionalized Iron complexes

Guar gum is a neutral, non-ionic polysaccharide that has been extensively utilized in the food industry as a stabilizer, excipients, and emulsifier agent. An oxidized derivative of this edible guar gum was prepared and used as a complexing agent for iron to obtain a polysaccharide-bound iron (II) complex. The degree of oxidation varies between 30.12 and 60.63% with a corresponding aldehyde content (0.59-1.79 mmol/g) and carboxyl contents (0.49-1.62 mmol/g), which were determined by the titrimetry method. Sophisticated spectroscopic techniques characterized all the products. The natural polymer-based hydrophilic and hydrophobic formulations as coating were used for achieving the sustained or prolonged release from the complex tablets. Release studies of the tablets were carried out in different mediums of varying pH. The total iron available from the tablets was compared with that obtained from ferrous fumarate prepared under similar conditions, and the results were found to be comparable. Release results demonstrate the pH-sensitive behaviour of the guar gum-based delivery system towards the controlled release of iron. Antianemic effect of new functionalized guar gum iron complexes was investigated on male albino rats. The complexes may exhibit the potential to recover the hematological index of the albino rats with some positive effects on improving rat's growth with iron deficiency anaemia.

The influence of hydroalcoholic media on the performance of Grewia polysaccharide in sustained release tablets

Co-administration of drugs with alcohol can affect the plasma concentration of drugs in patients. It is also known that the excipients used in the formulation of drugs may not always be resistant to alcohol. This study evaluates effect of varying alcohol concentrations on theophylline release from two grades of Grewia mollis polysaccharides. X-ray microtomography showed that native polysaccharide formulation compacts were not homogenous after the mixing process resulting in its failure in swelling studies. Removal of starch from the native polysaccharide resulted in homogenous formulation compacts resistant to damage in high alcoholic media in pH 6.8 (40%v/v absolute ethanol). Destarched polymer compacts had a significantly higher hardness (375N) than that of the native polysaccharide (82N) and HPMC K4M (146N). Dissolution studies showed similarity at all levels of alcohol tested (f₂=57-91) in simulated gastric media (pH 1.2). The dissolution profiles in the simulated intestinal fluids were also similar (f₂=60-94), with the exception of the native polysaccharide in pH 6.8 (40%v/v absolute ethanol) (f₂=43). This work highlights the properties of Grewia polysaccharide as a matrix former that can resist high alcoholic effects therefore; it may be suitable as an alternative to some of the commercially available matrix formers with wider applications for drug delivery as a cheaper alternative in the developing world.

Synthesis of 2-alkenyl-3-butoxypropyl guar gum with enhanced rheological properties

A new guar gum derivative was synthesized though the nucleophilic substitution of sodium hydroxide-activated guar gum with n-butyl glycidyl (BGE) ether. The physicochemical properties of 2-alkenyl-3-butoxypropyl guar gum (ABPG) were characterized by attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermal gravimetric analyses (TGA). The results showed that sodium hydroxide can be effectively substituted with BGE to form the ABPG. The steady and dynamic rheological properties of the aqueous solution and ABPG gel were determined using an RS6000 rheometer. Compared with the guar gum, ABPG enhanced the thickening property and improved the solution stability. The ABPG gel exhibited good temperature resistance and shear stability properties.

Synthesis, Optimization, Property, Characterization, and Application of Dialdehyde Cross-Linking Guar Gum

Dialdehyde cross-linking guar gum (DCLGG), as a novel material, was synthesized using phosphorus oxychloride as a cross-linking reagent, sodium periodate as an oxidant, and ethanol as a solvent through keeping the original particle form of guar gum. The process parameters such as the reaction temperature, reaction time, pH, amount of sodium periodate, and amount of ethanol were optimized by the response surface methodology in order to obtain the regression model of the oxidization. The covalent binding of L-asparagine onto the surfaces of DCLGG was further investigated. The results showed that the best technological conditions for preparing DCLGG were as follows: reaction temperature = 40°C, reaction time = 3.0 h, pH = 4.0, and amount of ethanol = 74.5%. The swelling power of DCLGG was intermediate between cross-linking guar gum and dialdehyde guar gum. The cross-linking and dialdehyde oxidization reduced the viscosity of GG. The cross-liking reduced the melting enthalpy of GG. However, the oxidization increased melting enthalpy of ACLGG. The thermal stability of GG was increased by cross-linking or oxidization. The variation of the onset decomposition temperature and end decomposition temperature of GG was not consistent with thermal stability of GG. L-asparagine could be chemically bound well by DCLGG through forming Schiff base under the weak acidity. The maximum adsorption capacity of L-asparagine on DCLGG with aldehyde content of 56.2% reached 21.9 mg/g.

Physico-chemical and structural characterization of mucilage isolated from seeds of Diospyros melonoxylon Roxb

Mucilage was isolated from the seeds of Diospyros melonoxylonRoxb., a plant growing naturally in the forests of India. Various physico-chemical methods like particle analysis, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography, rheometry, elemental analysis, x-ray diffraction spectrometry, zeta potential, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D(1H and 13C) (NMR) have been employed to characterize this gum in the present study. Particle analyses suggest that mucilage had particle size in nanometer. SEM analysis suggested that the mucilage had irregular particle size. The glass transition temperature of the gum observed was 78 °C and 74 °C by DSC and DTA respectively. The Thermogravimetry analysis suggested that mucilage had good thermal stability with two stage decomposition. The molecular weight of mucilage was determined to be 8760, by gel permeation chromatography, while the viscosity of mucilage was observed to be 219.1 cP. The XRD pattern of the mucilage indicated a complete amorphous nature. Elemental analysis of the gum revealed specific contents of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur. The major functional groups identified from FT-IR spectrum include 3441 cm-1 (-OH), 1632 cm-1 (-COO-), 1414 cm-1 (-COO-) and 1219 cm-1 (-CH3CO). Analysis of mucilage by paper chromatography and 1D NMR indicated the presence of sugars.

Difference in Physicochemical Property of β-Glucan from Barley Flour and Bran

Two kinds of β-glucan were extracted from barley flour and bran, with the purity of 75.3% and 76.2% respectively. Molecular size characterization was caarried out with high performance size exclusion chromatograhy combined with a multi-angle laser light scattering and a refractive index detector (HPSEC-MALL) , the molecular weight (Mw) of β-glucan from barley flour and bran was 2.262×104,7.128×104. X-ray diffraction and thermodynamics tests indicated that all β-glucans were noncrystalline but thermostable polymers. Differential scanning of calorimetry (DSC) showed the presence of peak related with water loss, confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the β-glucan from barley bran had higher onset temperature (T0=49.89°C) and peak temperature (TP=197°C). In scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations, the β-glucan from barley bran showed more tight surface,which could be caused by higher molecular weight.

Manilkara zapota (Linn.) Seeds: A Potential Source of Natural Gum

Mucilage isolated from seeds of Manilkara zapota (Linn.) P. Royen syn. is a plant growing naturally in the forests of India. This mucilage is yet to be commercially exploited, and characterized as polymer. Various physicochemical methods like particle size analysis, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, gel permeation chromatography, X-ray diffraction spectrometry, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy have been employed to characterize this gum in the present study. Particle size analyses suggest that mucilage has particle size in nanometer. Scanning electron microscopy analysis suggests that the mucilage has irregular particle size. The glass transition temperature of the gum was observed to be 138°C and 136°C by differential scanning calorimetry and differential thermal analysis, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis suggested that mucilage had good thermal stability. The average molecular weight of mucilage was determined to be 379180, by gel permeation chromatography, while the viscosity of mucilage was observed to be 219.1 cP. The X-ray diffraction spectrometry pattern of the mucilage indicates a completely amorphous structure. Elemental analysis of the gum revealed the contents of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur to be 80.9 (%), 10.1 (%), 1.58 (%), and 512 (mg/kg), respectively. Mucilage had specific content of calcium, magnesium, potassium, lower concentrations of aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, lead, and nickel. The major functional groups identified from FT-IR spectrum include 3441 cm⁻¹ (–OH), 1660 cm⁻¹ (Alkenyl C–H & C=C Stretch), 1632 cm⁻¹ (–COO–), 1414 cm⁻¹ (–COO–), and 1219 cm⁻¹ (–CH₃CO). Analysis of mucilage by paper chromatography and 1D NMR, indicated the presence of rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, mannose, and fructose.

Preparation of hybrid hydrogel containing Ag nanoparticles by a green in situ reduction method

In this Article, large and uniform Ag nanoparticle-containing hybrid hydrogels were prepared by in situ reduction of Ag ions in cross-linked tapioca dialdehyde starch (DAS)-chitosan hydrogels. In the hybrid hydrogels, chitosan was chosen as a macromolecular cross-linker because of its abundant source and good biocompatibility. The hybrid hydrogel showed good water-swelling properties, which could be controlled by varying the ratio of chitosan to tapioca DAS in the hydrogel. The reductive aldehyde groups in the cross-linked hydrogels could be used to reduce Ag ions to Ag nanoparticles without any additional chemical reductants. Interestingly, by controlling the reduction conditions such as the tapioca DAS concentration, aqueous AgNO(3) concentration, reaction time, and aqueous ammonium concentration, Ag nanoparticles with different sizes and morphologies were obtained. Because of their biocompatibility, degradable constituents, mild reaction conditions, and controlled preparation of Ag nanoparticles, these tapioca DAS-chitosan/Ag nanoparticle hybrid hydrogels show promise as functional hydrogels.

Complexes of arabinogalactan of Pereskia aculeata and Co2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, and Ni2+

The main interest in the biopolymer arabinogalactan is that it is edible. Complementing its high protein percentage, when complexed to essential metal ions, widens the use in food and pharmacology industries and technologies. The binding constants of Co2+, Cu2+, Mn2+ and Ni2+ with arabinogalactan, extracted from the leaves of Pereskia aculeata from Brazil were determined by potentiometric titrations and also the speciation according to pH values. The complexed species proposed by potentiometric titrations and the unique complexing ability of galacturonic acid groups towards Cu2+ and Ni2+ in the tridimensional web structure of arabinogalactan were confirmed by IR and EPR spectroscopies. The thermal stability of the complexed species also varied with the metal ion employed in the complexation when compared to the biopolymer alone. These complexes are new sources of additives for the food and pharmacology industries and carriers of essential metal ions to animal and vegetal biochemistry.