Development of ionic and non‐ionic natural gum‐based bigels: Prospects for drug delivery application

Recently, much attention has been focused on the development of gel based formulations for controlled drug delivery applications. Herein, we report the effect of the ionic (gum acacia) and the non‐ionic (guar gum) gums on the properties of the bigels prepared with fluid‐filled organogels. The microscopic study suggested the presence of flocculated structure in guar gum bigel, whereas, a de‐flocculated structure was observed in gum acacia bigel. Infrared spectroscopy suggested the presence of polysaccharides in the bigels. The mechanical properties of the guar gum bigel were better than gum acacia bigel. The conductivity and the release properties suggested superior properties of gum acacia bigel. This indicated that the ionic nature of acacia bigel played a major role in controlled drug delivery, making it a potential bigel for desired pharmaceutical applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42561.     

On the one‐phase state of aqueous protein‐uncharged polymer systems: Casein‐guar gum system

Although the majority of biopolymers are incompatible in water, systems containing casein molecules and a neutral polysaccharide (guar gum galactomannan) showed phase separation only at an ionic strength above 0.09–0.2. Static light scattering, circular dichroism spectroscopy, velocity sedimentation, viscosimetry, phase analysis in different solvents, and Rosenberg's method were used to estimate the effect of polymer–solvent and polymer–polymer interactions on the phase state of casein‐guar aqueous systems. Different solvent conditions were used to try to clarify the nature (electrostatic or nonelectrostatic) of the interaction between the two macromolecular species. Data obtained show that the dominant mechanism controlling the single‐phase state at low ionic strength (below 0.01) involves the formation of water‐soluble weak interpolymer complexes, which may be destroyed by increasing ionic strength. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 471–482, 1999     

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.     

Dietary Guar Gum Reduces Lymph Flow and Diminishes Lipid Transport in Thoracic Duct-Cannulated Rats

Guar gum has a well-recognized hypolipidemic effect. This effect is thought to be due to the physicochemical properties of guar gum, which may cause changes in adsorption of lipids or the viscosity of the intestinal contents. Guar gum is a non-specific absorption inhibitor of any type of lipid-soluble compound. Permanent lymph duct cannulation was performed on rats to investigate the effects of dietary guar gum on lymph flow and lipid transport. Rats fed a 5% guar gum diet were compared with those fed a 5% cellulose diet, and lymph was collected after feeding. The water-holding capacity (WHC), settling volume in water (SV), and viscosity of guar gum were compared with those of cellulose. Rats fed with the guar gum diet had significantly lower lymph flow and lymphatic lipid transport than did rats fed with the cellulose diet. The WHC, SV, and viscosity of guar gum were significantly higher than those of cellulose. We propose that dietary guar gum reduces lymph flow and thereby diminishes lipid transport by means of its physicochemical properties related to water behavior in the intestine.     

Evaluation of biodegradability of epoxy‐guar gum composites

Epoxy composites incorporating natural components have been mainly limited to the use of natural fibers. However, there have been a few instances where polysaccharides have been used as particulate fillers in thermoset compositions. The present study investigated the effect of guar gum/hydroxypropyl guar gum as a filler on the degradative properties of epoxy composites at various filler concentrations, with reference to fungal degradation and soil burial tests. It was found that at higher filler concentrations, the degradation increased. Composites based on hydroxypropyl guar gum showed increased degradation initially but on prolonged exposure to the fungal environment, the difference between guar gum and the hydroxypropyl guar gum‐based composites was found to be marginal. Microscopic evaluation of the composites showed that the degradation occurred at both the composite surface and in the bulk. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of graft copolymer (guar gum–g–N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) and investigation of metal ion sorption and swelling behavior

Graft copolymer of N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone with guar gum was synthesized and its reaction conditions were optimized for better yield using potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and glycolic acid (GA) as a redox initiator. The effect of PMS, GA, hydrogen ions, guar gum, and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NVP) along with reaction time and temperature were studied by determining the grafting parameters: grafting ratio, efficiency, conversion, add‐on, homopolymer, and rate of grafting. It was observed that the maximum yield occurred at with a time of 120 min at a temperature of 45°C and a guar gum concentration of 0.4 g/L concentration. The graft copolymer was characterized by infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The activation energy for the grafted and ungrafted gum was calculated. It was observed that the graft copolymer was thermally more stable than the pure gum. The swelling and metal ion sorption behavior of guar gum and guar gum‐g‐N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone also were studied. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 2480–2489, 2006     

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     

Enzymatic improvement of guar‐based thickener for better‐quality silk screen printing

Guar galactomannan (referred to as guar gum) is a versatile polysaccharide, obtained from the seeds of the shrub Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, which finds several applications in either its native or chemically modified form. For textile printing, guar gum can also be partially depolymerised in order to promote dye penetration, improve swelling in water and achieve the desired rheological properties. Guar gum is obtained from guar seeds by a thermo‐mechanical process that leaves ca. 3% of largely insoluble proteins in the gum, originating from the endosperms aleurone layer. When printing silk fabrics with acid or premetallised dyes, guar endogenous insoluble proteins bind tightly to anionic dyes, causing deposition of coloured aggregates on the fabric. This causes imperfections on the printed fabric in the form of tiny, but visible, ‘dots’, which lowers the quality of the final articles. In order to eliminate ‘dotting’, a novel printing thickener composed of depolymerised guar gum mixed with a bioengineered subtilisin protease has been developed. Upon solubilisation of the gum, and during preparation of the printing paste mixture, the protease hydrolyses guar gum insoluble proteins, generating soluble peptides that are washed off by the post‐printing treatments of the fabric. This enzymatic application prevents ‘dotting’ and significantly improves the quality of the silk print, without any measurable tensile strength loss of the fabric.     

Effect of chemical modification of a natural polysaccharide on its inhibitory action on mild steel in 15% HCl solution

Many of the synthetic corrosion inhibitors being used currently, are toxic and therefore research for developing environmentally benign corrosion inhibitors is of great importance. Inhibitors such as natural polysaccharides of plant origin are popular due to its non-toxic nature. Here, the toxicity of a natural polysaccharide, guar gum, and its modified form, cationic guar gum was studied and their inhibitory effects were investigated by gravimetric, electrochemical and surface morphology studies. Both the inhibitors are found to be effective and their adsorption on metal is in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Experimental results are in consonance with the results of quantum chemical calculations by density functional theory.     

Adsorption,Electrokinetic and Stabilizing Properties of the Guar Gum/Surfactant/Alumina System

The adsorption of non‐ionic polysaccharide guar gum (GG) in the presence of surfactants (anionic SDS, non‐ionic TX‐100, cationic CTAB and their equimolar mixtures) from their NaCl solutions onto an alumina surface (Al₂O₃) was studied spectrophotometrically. This study is important in light of the many disagreements concerning the structure and behaviour of mixtures containing polymers and surfactants at the surface of an adsorbent. The presence of surfactant caused an increase in the GG adsorption in all studied systems as a consequence of the formation of complexes. Among the single surfactants the highest increase in the GG adsorption was observed in the presence of CTAB. However, the usage of mixtures of the surfactants caused a much more effective increase in the GG adsorption on the alumina surface because of the synergistic effect of the surfactants. In order to get some information on the structure of the electrical double layer (edl), the surface charge density of alumina was determined and zeta potential measurements were conducted. The obtained data showed that the adsorption of GG or GG/surfactant complexes on the metal oxide surface strongly influences a diffused part of the edl, whereas a compact part of the edl is not affected. The colloidal stability of the alumina suspensions was measured in the presence and absence of GG and surfactants. It was found that GG and the mixtures of GG and surfactants can improve the stability of the suspensions.     

Modified guar gum: An alternative source for printing of cotton fabric with reactive dye

The alginate thickener is the thickener frequently used for reactive printing of textile. The thickener responds with reactive pigments and thus does not lead to the fabric composition becoming stiffer. In this study, we prepared oxidised natural guar gum with hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. All other polysaccharides comprise reactive hydroxyl units with a stronger reactivity that must be replaced if they are to be used in reactive printing. Guar derivatives were synthesised and verified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Natural thickeners, synthetic guar gum derivatives, have been employed in textile printing technique. In comparison to other synthetic thickeners, modified environmental guar gum polymer has been shown to be an ecologically friendly and low-cost thickener. Cotton fabric printed with modified guar thickening with hydrogen peroxide has even stronger colour strength than fabric printed with sodium alginate thickener, which is highly favourable. Penetration properties, colour value, colour strength, colour fastness to washing, light and rubbing was compared with alginate thickener (readily available on the market). Guar gum thickeners showed enhanced features versus sodium alginate for reactive printing. Partially replaced guar gum is an appropriate option due to the colour and physical properties.     

不同粘土矿物与聚羧酸减水剂相互作用机理研究

通过X射线衍射(XRD)、红外光谱(IR)、有机碳吸附(TOC)、饱和吸水率以及净浆流动性等试验方法,研究了不同粘土矿物与聚羧酸减水剂的相互作用机理.结果表明:聚羧酸减水剂的侧链可进入粘土矿物蒙脱石的层间,发生插层反应,即层间吸附,而其侧链结构不进入伊利石、高岭土、海泡石等粘土矿物的层间,仅发生表面吸附,且吸附量大小为蒙脱石>高岭土>海泡石>伊利石;饱和吸水率试验显示,粘土矿物的饱和吸水率大小为蒙脱石>高岭土>海泡石>伊利石;流动度试验表明,粘土矿物对水泥-减水剂体系净浆流动度均有不同程度的影响,且蒙脱石影响程度最大.由此可知,粘土矿物对自由水和聚羧酸减水剂的吸附是造成流动度损失的主要原因.     

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     

Ultraviolet‐radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate onto the sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated guar gum

In an attempt to modify the sodium salt of partially carboxymethylated guar gum (Na‐PCMGG; degree of substitution = 0.291), we studied the ultraviolet‐radiation‐induced graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate with ceric ammonium nitrate as a photoinitiator. The influence of the grafting yield was studied as a function of the different reaction parameters, and the optimum reaction conditions for photografting were determined. The various reaction parameters included the photoinitiator, nitric acid, and monomer (methyl acrylate) concentrations, the reaction time, the temperature, and the amount of the substrate. A kinetic scheme for photografting copolymerization was proposed, and the results were in good agreement with the kinetic scheme. The graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate onto Na‐PCMGG (degree of substitution = 0291) in the presence and absence of ultraviolet radiation was also carried out for the study of the efficiency of the photoinitiator. The influence of carboxymethyl groups added to the guar gum molecule on its behavior toward ultraviolet‐radiation‐induced grafting with methyl acrylate was also investigated. The evidence of photografting was ascertained with IR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy techniques. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1977–1986, 2005     

Applications of Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum, the extracellular polysaccharide from Xanthomonas comperstris, provides aqueous solutions with properties that are extremely useful in a large number of industrial applications, both food and non-food. These properties, a consequence of xanthan gum's particular molecular shape, are: high at-rest or low-shear viscosity even at low gum concentrations, yield value, high pseudoplasticity, increased viscosity in the presence of added salt depending on gum concentration, stable viscosity over a wide range of temperature and pH in the presence of added salt, synergistic increase in viscosity in the presence of guar gum and locust bean gum, thermoreversible gelation with locust bean gum at appropriate gum concentratins, and gelation with di-and trivalent metal ions and borates under specific conditions. Xanthan gum is thus an excellent stabiliser for a wide variety of suspensions, emulsions, and foams and is highly effective over a range of temperature, pH and ionic strength. In addition, its pseudoplasticity allows the formulation of products which require not only high at-rest viscosity but also low viscosity under highshear application conditions.     

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℃。     

Influence of additives on the fabric stiffness and colour depth of viscose printed with a guar gum thickener and a reactive dye

The effect of additives in a printing paste containing guar gum thickener and bireactive dye for cellulose printing was studied. The efficiency of the additives with respect to their chemical structure and concentration and the efficiency in combination with thickeners of different types (nonsubstituted, different degrees of carboxymethylation) and different concentrations (solid content) was investigated by assessing the fabric stiffness, colour depth, dye penetration, the viscosity and viscoelasticity of the printing paste and the printing paste add-on. Some additives caused a decrease in the fabric stiffness to an acceptable degree with little effect on the colour depth. Dye penetration was found to be exclusively additive-dependent. Spectroscopic and rheological investigations confirmed the reduction of dye/guar gum interactions due to the occurrence of additive/guar gum and additive/dye interactions. The best quality prints were obtained using a printing past containing a nonionic surfactant and a highly carboxymethylated guar gum thickener.     

Adsorption of As(III), As(V), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) from Aqueous Solutions by Natural Muscovite

Various parameters were tested for the application of natural muscovite (NM) in the removal of metals from aqueous solutions: contact time, pH, ionic strength, and initial metal concentrations. Kinetic studies showed that the pseudo-second-order model explains well the sorption process. The adsorption of metals was greatly influenced by solution pH but not by ionic strength. The results from isotherm studies agreed more with the Freundlich isotherm model than with the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorbed quantity of metals by NM was lower than that by the purified mica. These results suggested that the composition and surface characteristics of natural minerals may seriously influence applications for water purification.     

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