Comparative studies on the flocculation characteristics of polyacrylamide grafted guar gum and hydroxypropyl guar gum

The synthesis of two polysaccharide‐based graft copolymers with acrylamide, guar gum grafted polyacrylamide (GG‐g‐PAM) and hydroxypropyl guar gum grafted polyacrylamide (HPG‐g‐PAM) is described. The graft copolymers have been characterized by viscometry, infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The flocculation characteristics of the graft copolymers have been studied in kaolin, iron ore, and silica suspensions. For the base polysaccharides guar gum (GG) and hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG), it is observed that GG exhibits better performance than HPG in all three suspensions. For the graft copolymers, HPG‐g‐PAM shows better performance than GG‐g‐PAM. The flocculation characteristics of the best performing graft copolymer (HPG‐g‐PAM) are compared with various commercially available flocculants in the three suspensions mentioned above. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

木薯淀粉-瓜尔胶复合膜的制备及性质研究

研究木薯淀粉与瓜尔胶、木薯淀粉与阴离子瓜尔胶的复合膜,淀粉含量为复合基质量的100%、80%、60%、40%和20%制成复合膜,对膜的性质用红外、热重以及扫描电镜分别表征,对膜的力学性能、水蒸气透过率和吸水性能测试。分别以强度和伸长率为指标得出最优的复合膜配比。以强度为指标的最优复合膜成分：淀粉为80%,瓜尔胶为20%,得到样本1-2与原淀粉膜相比强度提高50%,伸长率下降30%,水蒸气透过率下降15.8%,吸水率几乎没有变化。以伸长率为指标的最优膜成分：淀粉80%,阴离子瓜尔胶20%,得到样本2-1与原木薯淀粉膜相比伸长率提高了142%,但强度降低了22%,水蒸气透过率下降了5.4%,吸水性降低了5.5%。成膜条件为：淀粉糊化温度为95℃,反应时间0.5 h,烘干温度为50℃。     

Urea–formaldehyde crosslinked starch and guar gum matrices for encapsulation of natural liquid pesticide [Azadirachta Indica A. Juss. (neem) seed oil]: swelling and release kinetics

Polymeric granules were prepared by matrix encapsulation containing 20, 35 and 50% (w/w) of natural liquid pesticide viz., Azadirachta Indica A. Juss. (neem) seed oil (NSO) per dry weight of urea formaldehyde crosslinked starch (UF-St), guar gum (UF-GG) and UF-(St + GG) matrices. Results of swelling and cumulative release kinetics are presented at 35°C for these matrices. The static dissolution experiments have been carried out at 35°C for seven days. The percentage cumulative release kinetic data have been analyzed using an empirical equation to study the release pattern of NSO through the polymeric membranes employed. Transport follows the Super Case II mechanism as tested by an empirical equation. It is found that the release of the active ingredient depends upon the type of the matrix and its swelling ability. The percentage loading of NSO with different matrices and their density exerted an influence on the release data. The FTIR results indicated the absence of chemical interactions between the matrices and the NSO. In the majority of cases, entrapment efficiency was generally more than 95% indicating the efficient encapsulation. Furthermore, the experimental results are discussed in terms of the nature and the combined effect of the individual matrices as well as the percentage loading of NSO. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 2437–2446, 1999     

Effectiveness of resistant starch,compared to guar gum,in depressing plasma cholesterol and enhancing fecal steroid excretion

Amylase-resistant starch (RS) represents a substrate that can be administered in substantial amounts in the diet, in contrast to gel-forming polysaccharides, such as guar gum (GG). The aim of this work was thus to compare the effects of GG and RS on cholesterol metabolism in rats adapted to 0.4% cholesterol diets, using dietary GG or RS levels (8 or 20%, respectively) that led to a similar development of fermentations, as assessed by the degree of enlargement of the cecum. The RS diet elicited a marked rise in the cecal pool of short-chain fatty acids, especially acetic and butyric acid, whereas the GG diet favored high-propionic acid fermentations. Both polysaccharides markedly altered the cholesterol excretion, from 50% of ingested cholesterol in controls, up to about 70% in rats adapted to the RS or GG diets. With these diets, the fecal excretion of bile acids was enhanced (67 and 144% with the RS and GG diets, respectively). RS and GG diets were effective in lowering plasma cholesterol (about −40%) and triglycerides (−36%). There was practically no effect of the diets on cholesterol in d>1.040 lipoproteins (high density lipoproteins), whereas RS (and to a larger extent, GG) were very effective to depress cholesterol in d<1.040 lipoproteins (especially in triglyceride-rich lipoproteins). Fermentable polysaccharides counteracted the accumulation of cholesterol in the liver, especially cholesterol esters. In parallel, liver acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase was depressed in rats fed the RS or GG diets, whereas only the GG diet counteracted the downregulation of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA by cholesterol. These data suggest that RS may be practically as effective as a gel-forming gum, such as GG, on steroid excretion and on cholesterol metabolism.     

Biodegradable polymeric microspheres of gelatin and carboxymethyl guar gum for controlled release of theophylline

Carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) was synthesized by carboxymethylation of guar gum (GG), which was blended with gelatin (GE) to obtain a novel semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) in the form of microspheres prepared by water-in-oil emulsion method to investigate the controlled release of theophylline (THP), an antiasthmatic drug. Electronic spectroscopy revealed the drug encapsulation ranging from 56 to 74 %. Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the carboxymethylation of GG as well as the semi-IPN structure of the blend polymer. Scanning electron microscopy indicated the smooth surfaces with spherical microspheres. Differential scanning calorimetric and X-ray diffraction studies showed the molecular level dispersion of drug in the microspheres. The in vitro drug release profiles were analyzed to study the effect of polymer blend composition, % drug loading and amount of glutaraldehyde added as a crosslinker. The drug release was extended up to 26 h. The in vitro release data performed in acidic and alkaline media were analyzed using the empirical equations to understand the release profiles of THP.     

Mechanical degradation of polysaccharide guar gum under turbulent flow

Polysaccharide guar gum (GG), one of the most widely used biopolymers for food applications is examined as a turbulent drag reducer, of which it reduces friction drag tremendously under a turbulent flow even though only tiny amount of guar gum is dissolved in aqueous system. Mechanical degradation of the GG is specifically being investigated in this study under a turbulent flow, in which three different molecular weights of GG were prepared using ultrasonication. Drag reduction effectiveness of the GG was measured using a rotating disk apparatus as a function of time. In order to correlate time-dependent drag reduction and mechanical degradation of GG, two different degradation models of a single-relaxation process and a stretched-exponential model were examined, and the stretched-exponential model was found to fit the experimental data better.     

瓜胶及其衍生物在药物控制释放领域的研究进展

介绍了官能团衍生化、接枝共聚、交联等瓜胶衍生物的制备方法及影响因素、瓜胶及其衍生物在药物控制释放领域的应用现状,并指出改性瓜胶具有比原粉更好的药物控制释放效果,因此经过配方设计,瓜胶及其衍生物有望成为药物控制释放尤其是靶向结肠给药领域的理想载体。     

瓜尔胶的化学改性

简要介绍了瓜尔胶的结构及其化学改性的原理和方法;综述了国内外瓜尔胶化学改性的研究工作;详细介绍了非离子瓜尔胶、阳离子瓜尔胶、阴离子瓜尔胶、羟烷基阴离子瓜尔胶和羟烷基阳离子瓜尔胶以及两性瓜尔胶的合成方法。瓜尔胶通过改性改善了水溶性、大大降低了水不溶物的含量、提高了电解质的兼容性、增加了黏度的稳定性、从而扩大了瓜尔胶的应用领域,使得改性瓜尔胶广泛应用于化妆品、个人护理品、造纸、油田和增稠剂等众多领域。     

Barium chloride crosslinked carboxymethyl guar gum beads for gastrointestinal drug delivery

A mild method for microencapsulation of sensitive drugs, such as proteins, employing a suitably derivatized carboxymethyl guar gum (CMGG) and multivalent metal ions like Ca⁺⁺ and Ba⁺⁺ is reported. Initially, guar gum is derivatized with carboxymethyl groups so that it forms durable, self‐standing microbeads when its solution is dropped into CaCl₂ or BaCl₂ solutions. The swelling data of Ca⁺⁺ and Ba⁺⁺ crosslinked beads suggest that Ba⁺⁺ crosslinks CMGG much more efficiently than Ca⁺⁺. The drug loading efficiency of these Ba⁺⁺/CMGG beads, as a function of concentration of both metal ion as well as drug, was then determined using Bovine Serum Albumin as a model drug. The ability of these beads to protect the drug from the acidic environment of the stomach was investigated. It was found that a very little amount of the drug is released from the beads when they are suspended in NaCl–HCl buffer of pH 1.2 for 6 h. The beads were also shown to release almost the entire encapsulated drug when exposed to TRIS–HCl buffer of pH 7.4. Thus, the results indicate that Ba⁺⁺ crosslinked carboxymethyl guar gum beads can be used for gastrointestinal drug delivery. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3084–3090, 2001     

Synthesis and characterization of acryloyloxy guar gum

Guar gum is a galactomannan commonly used as a viscosity modifier in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industry. The aim of this study was to synthesize acryloyloxy guar gum via a Schotten‐Bauman reaction in aqueous media. The reaction products were characterized using FTIR, C¹³‐NMR, wide angle X‐ray diffraction techniques to ascertain the effect of acrylation on the structure of guar gum. The acrylation of guar gum was found to be limited to the primary hydroxyl groups on the guar gum molecule. The maximum degree of substitution (DS) was found to be 0.56, which was observed after 3 h of reaction. Since the reaction was carried out in an aqueous medium after 3 h of reaction the DS of the derivatised guar gum was found to decrease, because of hydrolysis of the formed ester linkages. The ester content and intrinsic viscosity of the derivatised guar gums were also evaluated. Thermal analysis showed that a higher DS resulted in products with lower thermal stability and there was no evidence of reaction via the acrylate groups on heating. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto guar gum with ceric ammonium sulfate/dextrose redox pair

The effect of different reaction conditions on the grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto guar gum (GG) has been studied in detail. The grafting efficiency was optimal under the following conditions: MMA at 1.13 mol/L; ceric ammonium sulfate at 6.32 × 10^?3 mol/L; dextrose monohydrate at 2.428 × 10^?3 mol/L; GG at 4 g/L; temperature at 50°C; and time at 210 min. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for the confirmation of copolymer formation. Thermogravimetric analysis of GG and a representative graft copolymer were studied. A probable mechanism of grafting has been suggested. The biodegradability of the resulted copolymer was evaluated. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 82: 3520–3525, 2001     

Preparation and evaluation of a cosmetic adhesive containing guar gum

Guar gum is an effective agent for use as a natural adhesive ingredient that can be used to replace the hazardous ingredients of spirit gum. This study describes the possibility of using guar gum as a renewable substituent for cosmetic adhesive. An adhesive base and cosmetic adhesive containing guar gum were prepared by a two-step process. The samples were tested for safety (cell toxicity test and patch test), stability (centrifugation, cycling and viscosity), and effectiveness (tensile strength). The results from the MTT assay show that the growth activity of human fibroblast skin cells was over 89% in all concentrations of cosmetic adhesive containing guar gum. In addition, no special skin reactions were reported in the patch test prepared adhesive containing guar gum. Moreover, the stability test demonstrated proper stability of all adhesive samples: the composition stability, heat stability, and viscosity of the adhesive samples maintained stable conditions. The efficacy test confirmed the superiority of the guar gum adhesive samples over spirit gum concerning the tensile strength. This study demonstrated that guar gum may be a viable replacement for synthetic rosins and also as a substituent in cosmetic.     

Cotton linter nano-fibers as the potential reinforcing agent for guar gum

Cotton linter nano-fibers (CLNFs) were prepared from cotton linters by a refining process. The prepared CLNFs were characterized for morphology, crystallinity and degree of polymerization. CLNF was used as a reinforcing agent in guar gum to improve its performance properties. Guar gum/CLNF nanocomposite films were prepared by a solution-casting process. CLNF was added in concentrations of 0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1.0 % (w/w) in guar gum. The prepared guar gum/CLNF nano-composite films were characterized for mechanical, thermal, rheological, crystallinity, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) and light transparency properties. The enthalpy of melting and melting temperature of guar gum increased with increased concentration of CLNF; but up to 0.25 % (w/w) concentration, above which they started decreasing. Tensile strength and Young’s modulus of guar gum increased by 32 and 35 %, respectively, by 0.25 % (w/w) addition of CLNF; however, it decreased on further increase in the concentration of CLNF. The percentage elongation at break and WVTR decreased by 58 and 57 % for 0.25 % (w/w) CLNF-added guar gum. The observed improvements in the properties were due to better interaction between CLNF and guar gum. CLNF was found to have uniformly dispersed in guar gum on addition up to 0.25 % concentration; however, it started forming aggregates at higher concentration, as evident from scanning electron microscopy. Viscosity increased, whereas transparency decreased with increased concentration of CLNF in guar gum.     

Shear-thinning and viscosity synergism in mixed solution of guar gum and its etherified derivatives

The flow properties of mixed solution of guar gum and carboxymethyl guar gum, including shear-thinning and viscosity synergism, have been studied at different mixed ratios, shear rates and temperatures using rheometer. The results show that addition of carboxymethyl guar gum enhances shear-thinning behavior and increases viscosity in guar gum solution at a given range of mixed ratios. The temperature-dependence of the mixed solution is markedly different from a single solution. The activation energy of blends with 50 and 75% of guar gum were determined to be 11.02 and 10.39 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively, lower than that of a single solution. These results indicate that the network structure of viscous solution has been changed because carboxymethyl groups branched in galactomannans had changed the interaction among macromolecular chains.     

新疆油田瓜尔胶产业链发展

介绍了2001年以来新疆油田瓜尔胶产业链发展历程,对种植和加工之中的重点阶段、工序和设备进行了说明。新疆油田以专业公司金豆公司为主,采用公司+基地+农户的订单农业运行机制,在农业技术部门技术指导下,使瓜尔豆种植得以顺利进行。2003年配套建成了3000t/a的瓜尔胶厂,满足新疆油田油气增产的需要。     

Synthesis and enhanced swelling properties of a guar gum-based superabsorbent composite by the simultaneous introduction of styrene and attapulgite

In current study, a series of novel guar gum-graft-poly(sodium acrylate-co-styrene)/attapulgite (GG-g-P(NaA-co-St)/APT) superabsorbent nanocomposites were prepared by the simultaneous graft copolymerization of partially neutralized acrylic acid (NaA), styrene (St) and attapulgite (APT) onto natural guar gum (GG), using ammonium persulfate (APS) as the initiator and N,N'-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as the crosslinking agent. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and ultravoilet (UV) spectra confirmed that NaA and St had been grafted onto GG backbones and APT participated in the polymerization reaction. The incorporation of St and APT clearly improved the surface porous morphology of the composites as exhibited by Filed Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The effect of St and APT on the swelling properties and the swelling kinetics of the developed nanocomposite was investigated. Results showed that the simultaneous incorporation of proper amount of hydrophobic co-monomer St and inorganic nano-scale APT not only obviously enhanced the swelling capacity but highly improved the swelling rate, and the nanocomposite showed better salt-resistant capability and excellent pH-stability in various pH solutions.     

Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto guar gum by hydrogen peroxide initiation

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto guar gum (GG) in aqueous slurry has been carried out using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as initiator. The copolymers were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The grafting parameters like percent grafting, grafting efficiency, percent add-on, and the grafting frequency were determined, and the effect of reaction time, concentration of initiator, and [GG]/[MMA] ratios on the grafting parameters have been discussed. The decrease in % add-on at increasing concentration of H₂O₂ indicated enhancement in the rate of homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate.     

Characterization of drag reducing guar gum in a rotating disk flow

The turbulent drag reduction characteristics in a rotating disk apparatus were investigated by using polysaccharide guar gum in deionized water. The ultrasonic degradation method was adopted to obtain different molecular weight fractions of guar gum for this study. The stability of guar gum over time was observed to be better than the typical synthetic water‐soluble drag reducers [e.g., poly(ethylene oxide)]. A linear correlation between polymer concentration and the concentration/(drag reduction) for different molecular weights of guar gum was obtained, and the universal drag reduction curve for the guar gum/deionized water system was constructed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 2938–2944, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10300     

Preparation and properties of partially hydrolyzed cross-linked guar gum

There has been a growing interest in the modification of guar gum to improve its properties and enlarge its application. The aim of this study was to prepare partially hydrolyzed cross-linked guar gum with a composite modification method, based on guar gum, hydrochloric acid, epichlorohydrin and solvent. To obtain a product with suitable properties for other fields, the effects of various factors such as reaction time, reaction temperature, pH, the amount of ethanol and cross-linking agent on the cross-linking degree of partially hydrolyzed cross-linked guar gum were studied. The stability of the hot paste viscosity, cold paste viscosity, acid resistance, alkali resistance, retrogradation, freeze–thaw stability and swelling power were determined. The product was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry. The sedimentation volume method was selected to determine the cross-linking degree of the product. The best conditions for preparing partially hydrolyzed cross-linked guar gum were: reaction temperature 50 °C, reaction time 4 h, the amount of ethanol 58 %, pH 10.5. After guar gum was modified by acid, or cross-linked by epichlorohydrin, its freeze–thaw stability and expansion capability decreased, but its acid resistance, alkali resistance, cold paste stability and hot paste viscosity stability were improved.     

瓜尔胶基高吸水性树脂的制备、溶胀行为与保水性能

以天然瓜尔胶（GG）和丙烯酸（AA）为原料,过硫酸铵（APS）为引发剂,N,N′-亚甲基双丙烯酰胺（MBA）为交联剂,采用水溶液聚合法制备了瓜尔胶接枝聚丙烯酸（GG-g-PAA）高吸水性树脂。考察了MBA浓度对树脂溶胀动力学和溶胀能力的影响,研究了树脂在不同亲水有机溶剂/水混合溶液、不同阳离子盐（NaCl、CaCl₂和FeCl₃）和阴离子盐（KNO₃、K₂SO₄和K₃PO₄）溶液中在各浓度和离子强度下的溶胀行为,测定了高吸水性树脂在室温和高温下的保水性能。结果表明,该树脂对亲水有机溶剂较为敏感,吸水倍率随着亲水有机溶剂浓度的增加迅速减小;在各种盐溶液中的吸水倍率随着离子强度的增加而下降。