Influence of temperature,calcium and sucrose concentration on viscoelastic properties of Prosopis chilensis seed gum and nopal mucilage dispersions

Viscoelastic properties of two nontraditional hydrocolloid dispersions were evaluated. Prosopis chilensis seed gum was evaluated based on temperature (5–80 °C) and added CaCl₂ (0.07%), whereas nopal mucilage was evaluated based on temperature (5–80 °C) and sucrose concentration (0–20%). Viscoelasticity was tested by the small strain oscillatory shear test; storage modulus (G′), loss modulus (G″) and tan δ were reported. Prosopis chilensis and nopal dispersions behaved as weak gels (G’ > G’’) regardless of experimental condition. Raising temperature from 20 to 80 °C significantly increased G’. The gel structure was strengthened by adding CaCl₂ and G’ increased at 40 °C. The sucrose effect depended on concentration and temperature; at low sucrose concentrations, G’ modulus increased regardless of temperature level, but at high concentrations, it decreased at temperatures >40 °C. In conclusion, nopal and Prosopis chilensis dispersions show weak gel structure regardless of experimental condition. G′ increases as temperature increases, and these dispersions could be suitable for food applications requiring heat tolerance.     

Formulation and in vitro Evaluation of pH-Sensitive Cross-linked Xanthan Gum-Grafted Acrylic Acid Copolymer for Controlled Delivery of Perindopril Erbumine (PE)

A novel xanthan gum-co-acrylic acid superabsorbent hydrogel composite was formulated by free radical polymerization reaction of acrylic acid on xanthan gum. Effect of variables like dynamic swelling ratio, equilibrium swelling ratio, drug loading and drug release was investigated. Swelling ratio increases with decrease in crosslinker concentration. Drug release studies were conducted in pH 7.4 and 0.1N HCl. In acidic environment, drug release was low whereas it was sustained release in alkaline. XG4 showed significant swelling and drug release up to 24?hr. Physicochemical evaluation also confirmed it was optimized formulation. Hence XG4-co-AA was optimized for once daily dose of Perindopril Erbumine.     

A Biomimetic Hybrid Hydrogel Based on the Interactions between Amino Hydroxyapatite and Gelatin/Gellan Gum

In this work, a gelatin (Gel)‐oxidized gellan gum (OG)/amino hydroxyapatite (mHap) hybrid hydrogel with Schiff base linkages is reported. The mHap is obtained by modifying hydroxyapatite with tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3‐aminopropyl‐triethoxysilane. The effects of different mHap contents on the structure, morphology, and properties of hydrogels are particularly investigated. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersion spectroscopy reveals that mHap of around 100 nm is uniformly distributed inside the hydrogel with interconnected porous structures. Notably, the hydrogel with 1 wt% mHap possesses the highest compressive stress (2.01 ± 0.10 MPa) at 90% strain, as well as the lowest equilibrium swelling ratio (97% ± 5%) and degradation rate than other hydrogels. Besides, an ultra‐high compressive stress equivalent to 91% of the initial stress can be obtained by this hydrogel after 50 loading‐unloading cycles (85% strain). Meanwhile, after being swollen, this improved hydrogel also exhibits better structural stability than Gel‐OG hydrogel. The in vitro 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay further shows that all hydrogels are nontoxic against mouse fibroblasts. This work provides a biomimetic strategy to construct the organic/inorganic hydrogels with excellent interactions, elasticity, reversibility, and biocompatibility, which is of great importance for the practical applications in cartilage tissue engineering.     

Irradiated Ch/GG/PVP-based stimuli-responsive hydrogels for controlled drug release

Hydrogels based on gamma (γ) irradiated chitosan (pre-irradiated), guar gum, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were crosslinked with various concentrations of (3-mercapto propyl)trimethoxysilane and fabricated by solution casting technique for the drug delivery applications. High molecular weight chitosan (Ch) possesses lower solubility and higher viscosity, these problems overcame by γ irradiation, which also generated hydrophilicity and effect of irradiated Ch on controlled drug release was assessed. FTIR analysis showed the development of chemical and physical interactions and confirmed the incorporation of characteristic peaks. SEM micrographs revealed porous structure of the prepared hydrogels. Swelling analysis of the hydrogels was performed in distilled water, buffer, and electrolyte mediums. All the hydrogel samples showed higher swelling at acidic pH and lower swelling at neutral and basic pH. These pH-responsive characteristics made these RCGP hydrogels an important contender for injectable controlled drug release. The ampicillin sodium drug was loaded and in vitro controlled release mechanism was evaluated in the PBS, SIF, and SGF which shown out of all prepared hydrogels (RCGP-1, RCGP-2, and RCGP-3), RCGP-1 has exhibited 87.4% release in PBS and 81.3% in SIF in 180 min.     

Incorporation of calcium salts into xanthan gum matrices: hydration,erosion and drug release characteristics

Xanthan gum (XG), a hydrophilic biopolymer with modified release properties, was used to produce directly compressed matrix tablets containing a model drug, sodium p-aminosalicylate. Three formulations were prepared, each containing a different calcium dihydrate salt: calcium chloride, calcium sulfate or dibasic calcium phosphate. The aim of the investigation was to relate the calcium ion content and solubility of the calcium salt to the in vitro drug release profile of the xanthan matrices. Tablet hydration, erosion and drug release were determined in distilled water using the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) paddle method. The data showed that the overall drug release was the greatest with addition of calcium sulfate, followed by calcium chloride and dibasic calcium phosphate. The chloride salt formulation displayed the greatest percentage erosion due to rapid mass loss during the initial phase, followed by those with sulfate or phosphate salts. As xanthan gel viscosity increased and drug release was also found to be lower, it can be concluded that drug release is influenced by the solubility of the salt present in the formulation, since these parameters determine the viscosity and structure of the gel layer.     

Purification,structural data and biological properties of polysaccharide from Prunus amygdalus gum

This work demonstrates the efficiency of almond gum polysaccharides (AGPs) as bioactive compounds. AGPs were first extracted using H₂O₂, in the presence of NaOH, at different times and temperatures. The optimal extraction conditions were 4% H₂O₂ and 2 N NaOH, for 7 h at 50 °C, leading to an extraction yield of 58.2% (w/w). After a purification step, the retained AGPs were characterised using high‐performance liquid chromatography showing a molecular weight of 99.3 kDa. The monosaccharide composition of AGPs were assessed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. AGPs were found to be a complex heteropolysaccharide with a repeating unit mainly composed of galactose, arabinose, xylose, mannose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid with the respective ratios: 45:26:7:10:1:11. The acidic nature of the polysaccharide is due to the presence of glucuronic acid. Total antioxidant activity, free radical‐scavenging activity and reducing power assay of AGPs were investigated. The obtained results showed high antioxidant activities of AGPs. Furthermore, beyond 60 mg mL^?1, AGPs exhibited bacterial growth inhibition for five pathogenic strains: Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus feacalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhimurium.     

Study on retrogradation of maize starch–flaxseed gum mixture under various storage temperatures

This study aimed to investigate the effect of flaxseed gum (FG) on the retrogradation of maize starch (MS) gels under different storage temperatures. In this work, MS‐FG gels with 0–0.4% FG were stored under different temperatures (–20, 4 and 20 °C). Under all storage temperatures, the addition of FG inhibited the retrogradation process of MS, suppressed the recrystallisation of starch molecules, reduced the water loss of starch gels and improved the texture of the gels. Among the three storage temperatures, ?20 °C could almost stop the starch retrogradation but leading it results in the hardest gel texture. The retrogradation of MS‐FG gels stored under 4 °C was most serious with the fastest rate of recrystallisation. When stored at 20 °C, the gels had a retrogradation degree that was lower than when they were stored at 4 °C and also had the softest texture.     

The effect of hydrolysed tragacanth gum and inulin on the probiotic viability and quality characteristics of low‐fat yoghurt

This study investigates the effect of supplementation of tragacanth gum (GT, 0.05% w/v), low molecular weight gum tragacanth (LMWGT, 0.5% w/v) and inulin (0.5% w/v) on the viability of Bifidobacterium bifidum and the quality parameters of low‐fat yoghurt during a three‐week storage period. The count of probiotics was found to be 7.8 log cfu/g in inulin, and LMWGT enriched yoghurts at the end of the storage period. The minimum water holding capacity and the maximum syneresis values were also obtained in the low‐fat yoghurt enriched with GT throughout the storage time. The samples containing inulin and LMWGT revealed sensory attributes that were judged superior compared to those in GT.     

Microwave irradiated Carrageenan-Guar gum micro-porous IPN: a novel material for isotropic tissue scaffolding

In this study, a novel micro porous honeycomb structured Crg-GG-IPN material was incepted to be applicable as scaffold and accomplished. The hydrophilicity was confirmed by FT-IR and OCA. Amorphous nature and micro-rough surface were confirmed by XRD and AFM. Void fraction was 0.61?±?0.04. Void space, hemocompatibility and platelet adhesion were captured by SEM. Degradability of the material was confirmed by in-vitro degradation study. Incision method using mice model was a clear evidence for cell attachment and non-toxicity and was confirmed from hematology and histopathology. Thus, it appears that Crg-GG scaffolds can be useful as wound healing material for clinical applications.     

Encapsulation of protein hydrolysates by spray drying: feasibility of using buffalo whey proteins

This work aimed to produce and encapsulate protein hydrolysates of buffalo origin using spray drying with gum arabic and maltodextrin as encapsulating agents. The following core ratios were applied: encapsulating agent in the ratios of 1:10 and 1:15, with 50% gum arabic and 50% maltodextrin (50:50), and 70% gum arabic and 30% maltodextrin (70:30). The encapsulated particles were between 2.0 and 20.0 μm. The encapsulation efficiency of the samples was above 95% at the initial time. After 45 days of storage, encapsulation efficiency decreased to values below 60%. The 70:30 samples showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in hygroscopicity, moisture and water activity compared with free hydrolysates. The encapsulation process increased the values of oil retention, emulsifying activity and solubility of whey protein hydrolysates for all proportions evaluated, both at the initial time and after 45 days of storage. The branched-chain amino acid concentration was higher in samples encapsulated at the 1:10 ratio. The spray drying encapsulation of buffalo protein hydrolysates with suitable encapsulating agents improves the techno-functional characteristics of these hydrolysates, hence expanding their use in different food matrices and enabling the use of buffalo cheese whey.