Main description:

Natural Gums: Extraction, Properties, and Applications provides thorough, methodical coverage of a range of natural gums. These naturally forming polysaccharides or complex carbohydrates offer advantageous properties and a range of possible applications. The book begins by introducing fundamental knowledge regarding natural gums, including structures and properties, functionalization, gelatin behavior, and characterization techniques. Subsequent sections of the book provide in-depth chapters, each guiding the reader through the extraction, properties and applications of a specific gum type, covering plant-based, animal-based, microbial-based, and marine-based natural gums. Finally, the future potential of natural gums, and their implications in a circular economy approach, are considered.

This is an informative resource for researchers and advanced students in bio-based materials, polymer science, chemistry, bioengineering, materials science, and food science, as well as industrial scientists and R&D professionals with an interest in natural gums and bio-based materials for advanced applications.

Contents:

Section I: Natural Gums: Functionalization and characterization 1. Natural gums: Structural diversity and properties 2. Functionalization of natural gums: Scientific tools to improve properties and applications 3. Gelation behaviour in natural gums: Fundamentals of solute-solvent interaction to gel formation 4. Characterization of natural gums: Emphasizing distinctive spectroscopic techniques

Section II: Plant-based natural gums 5. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of guar gum 6. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of locust bean gum 7. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of okra gum 8. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of honey locust gum 9. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of tamarind gum 10. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of khaya gum 11. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of aloe mucilage 12. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of konjac glucomannan 13. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of gum arabica 14. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of gum ghatti 15. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of gum tragacanth 16. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of pectins

Section III: Animal-based natural gums 17. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of gelatin gum 18. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of chitin and chitosan 19. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of hyaluronic acid

Section IV: Microbial-based natural gums 20. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of curdlan gum 21. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of xanthan gum 22. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of dextran 23. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of gellan gum 24. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of tara gum 25. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of pullulan

Section V: Marine-based natural gums 26. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of sodium alginate 27. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of alginic acid 28. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of carrageenan gum 29. Extraction, structural properties, and applications of agar-agar

Section VI: Future of natural gums 30. Circular economy and future potential of natural gums