Sonochemical and thermal modification of guar gum: A comparative analysis

Abstract

The goal of this research is to chemically tailor guar gum in order to improve its qualities and uses. Guar gum is a natural polymer containing hydroxyl groups that may be bonded to physiologically active substances, consisting of (1–4)-β-D mannopyranosyl groups coupled with α-d-galactopyranosyl groups at a ratio of 1.5–2. Guar gum is modified by employing thermal and sono-chemical techniques and epichlorohydrin (EP) is used as a crosslinker. The product obtained is characterized with the help of infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetric (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and swelling analyses. The temperature, at which the reaction is carried out, is an important parameter that affects the properties of the end product obtained. The modified guar gum is stable at high temperatures and can be used in the food and cosmetics industries as a stabiliser or suspending agent, or in the pharmaceutical industry as a binder or sustained-release polymer matrix for tablets or granulations.