Plant Gums Research Articles

Unveiling nutraceutical, antioxidant properties and bioactive compound profiling of Chironji gum

Plant gums had great significance from ancient times because of their medicinal qualities and bioavailability due to their wide uses such as ethnomedical purposes, culinary, pharmaceutical, paper, textile, and other sectors. Chironji is a natural gum-producing underutilized, and native crop to India, and its pulp and kernel contain high nutraceutical value. The Chironji plant-produced gum might have some nutraceutical value. Hence, in the present study, morphological, physical, and biochemical parameters of gum were analyzed. The result of this study revealed that Chironji gum contains a fair amount of total polysaccharide (36.05 %), total protein (22.6 %), total nitrogen (3.61%), and total amino acid (20.4%). Through UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis, different bioactive compounds namely 1,2- aminoalcohols, acyl monophosphates, amino cyclitol, aromatic amide, polychlorinated biphenyl, chlorohydrin's, depsipeptides, pyridines, terpene glycosides, alkaloid, etc, are profiled in Chironji gum. Apart from these physicochemical properties, the development of safety profiles is also required to be a part of pharmaceutical use.

HYDROPHILIC MATRIX TABLETS AS ORAL CONTROLLED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS IN 20TH CENTURY: A REVIEW

Matrix systems are easy to formulate compared to other controlled release dosage forms. The manufacture of matrix tablets involves the direct compression of blend of drug, retardant material and additives to form a tablet in which drug is embedded in a matrix core of the retardant. Alternatively, retardant-drug blends may be granulated prior to compression. Of the three classes of retardant material used to formulate matrix tablets, polymers that form hydrophilic matrices are attracting the attention of pharmaceutical technologists. These polymers include Methyl cellulose (MC), Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC), Hydroxy popyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (NaCMC), carbomers, chitosan, plant gums etc. The hydrophilic matrix-formers alone or in combination with other excipients form gels in situ on coming in contact with biological fluids which control the drug release. The present review gives a detailed account on the factors to be considered in the design of hydrophilic matrix systems, formulation of hydrophilic matrix tablets, in vitro and in vivo evaluation methods and advances in the design of hydrophilic matrix tablets. This review further focuses on the development of oral controlled drug delivery systems using hydrophilic matrix carriers in 20th century.

Facing death: a multidisciplinary analysis of a Romano-Egyptian mummy mask at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen

Funerary masks played a crucial role in ancient Egyptian burial practices, as part of the rituals to ensure a successful afterlife. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of a gilded mummy mask from the Roman period in Egypt from the collections of The Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen. Portraying a young female, the mask belongs to a distinctive group of mummy masks, whose origins can be identified to be coming from the Dakhlah and Kharga oases. The construction of the mask (plaster, textiles) and the constituents of its polychromy (pigments, binding media) was analysed using various non- and micro-destructive methods: imaging, cross-section analysis, optical microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Additionally, samples were taken for palaeoproteomic analysis with liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. A wide range of pigments such as yellow and red ochre, carbon-based black, and Egyptian blue were identified, reflecting common materials in polychromy in Egypt during the Roman period. Notably, indigo was detected, suggesting its usage in mixtures to render purple hues. Analysis of adhesives and media identified plant gum and collagen-based animal glue. Proteomic analysis identified Equus asinus (donkey) as the predominant protein source for the collagen-based glue. The results shed light on the materials and techniques employed in ancient polychromy in Egypt in the Roman period, further enriching our understanding of artistic practices at the time.

Towards scalable and degradable bioplastic films from Moringa oleifera gum/poly(vinyl alcohol) as packaging material

The use of plant gum-based biodegradable bioplastic films as a packaging material is limited due to their poor physicochemical properties. However, combining plant gum with synthetic degradable polymer and some additives can improve these properties. Keeping in view, the present study aimed to synthesize a series of bioplastic films using Moringa oleifera gum, polyvinyl alcohol, glycerol, and citric acid via thermal treatment followed by a solution casting method. The films were characterized using analytical techniques such as FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, TGA, and DSC. The study examined properties such as water sensitivity, gas barrier attributes, tensile strength, the shelf life of food, and biodegradability. The films containing higher citric acid amounts showed appreciable %elongation without compromising tensile strength, good oxygen barrier properties, and biodegradation rates (>95%). Varying the amounts of glycerol and citric acid in the films broadened their physicochemical properties ranging from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity and rigidity to flexibility. As all the films were synthesized using economical and environmentally safe materials, and showed better physicochemical and barrier properties, this study suggests that these bioplastic films can prove to be a potential alternative for various packaging applications.

New Strategies in the Treatment of Diseases Caused by Acanthamoeba Based on Nanoparticles: A Systematic Review.

Acanthamoeba is one of the opportunistic parasites with a global prevalence. Currently, due to the side effects and the emergence of drug resistance to this parasite, much research has been performed on the use of nano-drugs to treat Acanthamoeba-caused diseases. Therefore, this systematic review study aims to evaluate new strategies for treating diseases caused by Acanthamoeba based on nanoparticles (NPs). We designed a systematic review based on the articles published in English between 2000 and 2022. Our search strategy was based on syntax and specific tags for each database, including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, Ovid, and Cochrane. From the articles, those that had inclusion criteria were selected, and their data were extracted and analyzed. In this study, 26 studies were selected. Metallic nanoparticles were mostly used against the Acanthamoeba species (80.7%). 19.2% of the studies used polymeric nanoparticles, and 3.8% used emulsion nanoparticles. Most studies (96.1%) were performed in vitro, and only one study (3.8%) was carried out in vivo. Silver NPs were the most used metallic nanoparticles in the studies. The best effect of the anti-Acanthamoeba compound was observed for green synthesized nanoparticles based on stabilization by plant gums, loaded with citrus fruits flavonoids hesperidin (HDN) and naringin (NRG) with a 100% growth inhibition at a concentration of 50 μg/mL. This study showed that chlorhexidine and other plant metabolites loaded with silver and gold nanoparticles increase the anti-Acanthambae activity of these nanoparticles. However, green synthesized nanoparticles based on stabilization by plant gums, loaded with citrus fruits flavonoids hesperidin (HDN) and naringin (NRG), showed the best anti-Acanthambae effect. Nevertheless, further studies should be performed to determine their safety for human use.

Recent trends in food and dietary applications of flaxseed mucilage: a mini review

SummaryFlaxseed mucilage (FM) is a hydrocolloid heteropolysaccharide comprised of a variable ratio of neutral and acidic monosaccharides. It possesses emulsifying, thickening, gelling and water−/oil‐binding properties. Due to these properties, it is highly applicable in foods as a functional agent to improve their physical and sensory parameters, thus representing an alternative to common plant gums. The most recent research is focused on the potential of FM for food treatments as a functional component. FM is usable in coatings and films. Combining with chitosan, bioactive proteins and peptides, or other compounds improves the quality of food products. FM may serve as a structural agent of novel gel materials, like oleogels, cryogels and aerogels. It can also be utilised within dietary applications to encapsulate living probiotics or bioactive compounds or serve as a prebiotic agent. Complexing of FM with proteins can lead to the improvement of their functional properties. The versatility of FM and unique properties, on the other hand, reveal its potential for further study and predetermine its use in a broad range of food and related applications in the future.

The effectiveness of powdery formulations of long pepper (<em>Piper longum</em> L.) and sweet flag (<em>Acorus calamus</em> L.) to combat the cowpea weevil (<em>Callosobruchus maculatus</em> F.) on stored mung beans

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Piper longum L. fruit and Acorus calamus L. rhizome powders in counteracting the Callosobruchus maculatus F. attacks on the mung bean. People frequently consume mung beans; thus, the insecticides, which are used to prevent seeds from infestations by storage pests, should be formulated in such a way that they can be readily removed from grains prior to cooking; for that reason, powdery formulations were selected. Neem plant (Azadirachta indica A.) gum was pulverized and incorporated as adjuvant according to weight. 100 g of mung bean seed lots were individually exposed to powdery formulations of 80%, 90% and 100% of P. longum and A. calamus, respectively and 100% of adjuvant, along with control. Consequently, five pairs of unsexed C. maculatus were introduced into eight treatments, with three replicates and laid out in the Completely Randomized Design. This experiment was designed to evaluate the adult survival, ovipositional capacity, adult emergence of the F1 and F2 generations and developmental period of C. maculatus, and weight loss in mung bean seeds. Simultaneously, qualitative analysis was done to determine the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, tannin, steroids, cardiac glycosides, saponin, and anthraquinone phytochemicals in selected botanicals. Data were subjected to the analysis of variance aided by SAS 9.4 version and means were separated by using the Duncan Multiple Range Test at the 5% significance level. According to the statistical analysis, mung beans treated with 100% A. calamus showed no survival of C. maculatus two days after treatment, whereas those treated with 90% A. calamus powdery pesticide showed 3.3% survival. Though minimum cumulative number of eggs was detected in 90% and 100% (11.0, 9.7) of A. calamus treated mung bean seeds, zero progeny development was observed until 60 days; therefore, no weight loss was detected on mung bean seeds. The study concluded that 90 and 100% of the powdery insecticides from A. calamus were efficacious in safeguarding the mung bean from C. maculatus.

Isolation of Gum from Tamarind and Fenugreek Plants and Its Evaluation as Pharmaceutical Excipients

In contemporary pharmaceutical dosage forms, a variety of auxiliary substances are combined with active compounds to aid in production and achieve the intended effects of the active components. Plant gum is a widely recognized polysaccharide within the pharmaceutical industry, performing an array of functions including stabilizing, disintegrating, suspending, emulsifying, and gelling. Naturally occurring gum is preferred over commercially produced gum due to its affordability, emollient properties, non-irritating nature, natural composition, and lack of toxicity. The costly nature, hazardous properties, contribution to environmental contamination during production, reliance on non-renewable resources, potential adverse effects, and low patient adherence are all drawbacks of synthetic polymers. Gum exhibits considerable potential as an innovative drug delivery system (NDDS) in conjunction with a variety of pharmacological formulations. The advancements achieved in the application of natural polysaccharides, mucilages, and pectins within the domain of medicinal sciences are examined in this research article.

Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum: An in-vitro study

Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss plant gum: An in-vitro study

Black, Red and White: Characterization of Painting Materials on a Group of Bwa Masks from Burkina Faso

The distinctive and visually striking wooden masks associated with the Bwa culture in Burkina Faso, West Africa, are carved from a soft wood into different shapes and display various geometrical patterns and symbols according to their purpose. One of their characteristic features is the use of the colors black, red, and white, which evoke the three major rivers crossing the country: the Black, Red, and White Voltas. According to published accounts of scholars who have worked directly with the artists, the materials used to obtain these colors include reptile excrement for the white, iron-rich stones powdered and mixed with egg or plant gums for the red, and boiled Acacia seed pods for the black, as well as modern materials such as enamel paint in some cases. A group of four Bwa masks in the Arts of Africa collection of the Art Institute of Chicago was investigated using a complement of analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy, pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, and mass spectrometry-based proteomics to characterize their painting materials. The results obtained corroborate the published accounts, while also providing new insights into the nature of the coloring materials and the selection and substitution of pigments and binders. These findings highlight the complementary value of scientific research, in combination with fieldwork and artists’ accounts, to generate a fuller understanding and appreciation of this traditional artistic practice.

Investigation and Application of Reversible Temporary Plugging Steering Agent for Acidification

In order to solve the problems of insolubility of conventional plant gum type solid steering agents and the need to return after stratified acidification to unblock the formation, two chemically reversible temporary plugging agents were developed in this paper. The variation of viscosity of liquid steering agent and the dissolution of particles of solid-liquid combination steering agent were evaluated indoors. The liquid steering agent single-pipe core blocking experiment and double-pipe core splitting rate experiment were carried out, and the indoor over-hole plate pressure measurement experiments of different types of steering agents were conducted. And the two steering agents were applied in the field. The results show that the viscosity of liquid steering agent can change with the pH value, showing the characteristics of becoming viscous in acid and decomposing in water, which can increase the injection pressure by 1.95MPa after plugging the core in the indoor experiment, and can increase the construction pressure by 1.4MPa in the field application. What’s more, the pressure of solid-liquid combination steering agent indoor over pore plate is 3 times of liquid temporary plugging agent, and the construction pressure can be increased by 3.0 MPa. Both of the above temporary plugging agents can be dissolved by themselves in the process of water injection after the measure, and the plugging of the reservoir can be released without returning to the drainage. Meanwhile, it can also meet the needs of different pressure difference layer section for diversion acidification.

Larvicidal proficiency of volatile compounds present in Commiphora wightii gum extract against Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762).

Aedes mosquitoes are the major cause of several vector-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions. Synthetic pesticides against these mosquitoes have certain limitations; hence, natural, eco-friendly, and safe larvicides obtained from plant resources are used to overcome these. In the present study, the larvicidal efficiency of Commiphora wightii against the fourth instar stage of the dengue fever mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) was studied. The gum resin of C. wightii was collected using the borehole tapping method, and hexane extracts in different concentrations were prepared. The fourth-instar larvae were exposed to the extracts, and percent mortality, as well as LC20, LC50, and LC90, was calculated. Volatile compounds of the hexane gum extract were analyzed by Headspace GC/MS, and the sequence of the acetylcholine, Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor, and octopamine receptor subunit of A. aegypti was obtained. It was found that the hexane gum extract was toxic and lethal for larvae at different concentrations. Minimum mortality was observed at 164 µg mL-1 (10%/h), while maximum mortality was at 276 µg mL-1 (50%/h). The lethal concentrations LC20, LC50, and LC90 were 197.38 µg mL-1, 294.13 µg mL-1, and 540.15 µg mL-1, respectively. The GC/MS analysis confirmed the presence of diterpenes, monoterpenes, monoterpene alcohol, and sesquiterpenes in the gum samples, which are lethal for larvae due to their inhibitory activity on the acetylcholinesterase enzyme, GABA receptor, and octopamine receptor subunit. The use of commonly occurring plant gum for the control of mosquitoes was explored, and it was found that the gum of C. wightii had larvicidal activities and could be potentially insecticidal.

Impact of Pistacia lentiscus Plant Gum on Particle Size and Swelling Index in Central Composite Designed Amoxycillin Trihydrate Mucoadhesive Microspheres

Impact of Pistacia lentiscus Plant Gum on Particle Size and Swelling Index in Central Composite Designed Amoxycillin Trihydrate Mucoadhesive Microspheres

Isolation and Performance Test of Green Low Dosage Hydrate Inhibitors from Local Materials for Improving Flow Assurance in Oil and Gas Industry

The formation of gas hydrates in oil and gas industry can be minimized or prevented by the use of inhibitors. This paper reports on hemicellulose and modified lignin as low dosage gas hydrate inhibitors (LDGHIs). LDGHIs were isolated from sugarcane bagasse (SCB), plant gum exudates (PGE) of Acacia trees, and coconut coir, and further characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance - Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectrometer, porosimeter and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). The PGE and SCB yielded 77.75% and 12.38% of hemicellulose, respectively, while coconut coir yielded 35.59% of lignin which was modified to sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) to improve its solubility in water. The inhibition performance of the isolated hemicellulose and modified lignin on gas hydrate was evaluated in terms of percentages of water converted into gas hydrate. In the absence of inhibitors, a large percentage of water (75.20%) was converted to gas hydrates while in the presence of the hemicellulose, the minimum amount of water converted into gas hydrates was 43.37%. The inhibition ability of hemicellulose from PGE and SCB increased with an increase in concentration. The statistical test indicated no significant difference between the percentage of water that formed gas hydrates in the presence of hemicellulose from PGE and SCB (n =4, p = 0.06 at CI = 95%). On the other hand, SLS promoted gas hydrates growth. In the presence of SLS, all liquid in the reactor was converted to gas hydrates. Thus, SLS may be used as a promoter for gas hydrates in natural gas storage and carbon dioxide sequestration while hemicellulose from both PGE and SCB as low dosage hydrate inhibitors.

Reshaping Egyptian funerary ritual in colonized Nubia? Organic characterization of unguents from mortuary contexts of the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE)

Samples taken from the canopic jars of Djehutyhotep, chief of Tehkhet (Debeira), Lower Nubia, and local versions of Egyptian canopic jars from Sai, Upper Nubia, suggest that the materials used for mortuary ritual unguents in Nubia may have differed from those used in Egypt. Nubian samples consisted of plant gum and bitumen, whereas those from Egypt conformed to the standardizing black resinous liquid recipe used for mummification and other funerary rituals. However, there may be time frame issues to be considered as most samples analyzed from Egypt date to later periods. A standard black funerary liquid was used at Amara West, Upper Nubia, probably poured over a wrapped body, which might suggest that the gum and bitumen mixture was reserved for filling canopic jars, perhaps indicating that the use of canopic jars in Nubia differed from their use in Egypt. Evidence from the canopic jars of Djehutyhotep, local versions of canopic jars from Sai, and the sample from Amara West also indicate a source of bitumen that was not the Dead Sea, which was the main (although not only) source used in Egypt. The new results from the analysis of the Djehutyhotep canopic jars and previously published results from Sai point towards alternative ritual practices associated with local conceptions and uses of canopic jars in colonized Nubia. These samples and data from Amara West further reveal that the bitumen used in mortuary contexts in Nubia originated elsewhere than bitumen used in Egypt, which might have implications for our understanding of colonized Nubia as part of other trade networks independently from Egypt.

Anticorrosive efficiency and adsorption characteristics of natural plant gums on mild steel exposed to the Diesel/Saline water biphasic system

Anticorrosive efficiency and adsorption characteristics of natural plant gums on mild steel exposed to the Diesel/Saline water biphasic system

A Bird Eye View on Natural Gums and Mucilage used in Drug Delivery System

Natural mucilage is utilized in drug delivery systems (DDS) to accomplish a variety of duties, including directly or indirectly regulating the rate and amount of drug release in specific circumstances. Gums are biomolecules composed of carbohydrates that may attract water and form gels. Proteins and minerals are typically found in the creation of the gums. Gums exist in a number of types, including mucilage gums, seed gums, exudate gums, and others. Plant gums are among the most important gums because of their bioavailability. Excipients are being used in unique dosage forms to fill specific tasks as a result of advances in drug delivery technology. In some cases, these additives have a direct or indirect effect on the amount and/or rate of drug release and absorption. Given the present trend toward the use of natural goods derived from plants, the substitution of synthetic additives with natural ones is important. The world is getting increasingly interested in natural drugs and excipients. Natural mucilage has advantages over synthetic mucilage because it is more easily available, less expensive, and chemically inert. They now compete with several polymeric materials for use as diverse drugs and have advanced from being an excipient to cutting-edge drug carriers. Extensive research has gone into the development of safe and effective natural-based mucilage particulate drug delivery systems. Natural gums and mucilage are examined, as well as their isolation, purification, standardization, and characterization properties, as well as their applications. This article provides an overview of natural excipients used in both traditional dosage forms and innovative drug delivery systems.

Recent Advances and Prospects for Plant Gum-Based Drug Delivery Systems: A Comprehensive Review.

This work is an effort to first introduce plant-based gums and discussing their drug delivery applications. The composition of these plant gums and their major characteristics, which make them suitable as pharmaceutical excipients are also described in detail. The various modifications methods such as physical and chemical modifications of gums and polysaccharides have been discussed along with their applications in different fields. Consequently, plant-based gums modification such as etherification and grafting is attracting much scientific attention to satisfy industrial demand. The evaluation tests to characterize gum-based drug delivery systems have been summarized. The release behavior of drug from plant-gum-based drug delivery is being discussed. Thus, this review is an attempt to critically summarize different aspect of plant-gum-based polysaccharides to be utilized in drug delivery systems having potential industrial applications.

Green and Superior Adsorbents Derived from Natural Plant Gums for Removal of Contaminants: A Review.

The ubiquitous presence of contaminants in water poses a major threat to the safety of ecosystems and human health, and so more materials or technologies are urgently needed to eliminate pollutants. Polymer materials have shown significant advantages over most other adsorption materials in the decontamination of wastewater by virtue of their relatively high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption rate. In recent years, "green development" has become the focus of global attention, and the environmental friendliness of materials themselves has been concerned. Therefore, natural polymers-derived materials are favored in the purification of wastewater due to their unique advantages of being renewable, low cost and environmentally friendly. Among them, natural plant gums show great potential in the synthesis of environmentally friendly polymer adsorption materials due to their rich sources, diverse structures and properties, as well as their renewable, non-toxic and biocompatible advantages. Natural plant gums can be easily modified by facile derivatization or a graft polymerization reaction to enhance the inherent properties or introduce new functions, thus obtaining new adsorption materials for the efficient purification of wastewater. This paper summarized the research progress on the fabrication of various gums-based adsorbents and their application in the decontamination of different types of pollutants. The general synthesis mechanism of gums-based adsorbents, and the adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent for different types of pollutants were also discussed. This paper was aimed at providing a reference for the design and development of more cost-effective and environmentally friendly water purification materials.

Evaluation of the Toxic Effect of Bauhinia purpurea Mediated Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles against In-vitro and In-vivo Models.

Metal nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles, etc., have many benefits and have been in use for a very long time. Nevertheless, a number of concerns have been raised about the environmental impact and the possibility of exposure to various living systems at the moment. Thus, in this study, silver nanoparticles were synthesized by using plant gum from Bauhinia purpurea and characterization was done using UV-Visible Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-ray Diffraction, etc. To determine the accumulation and toxic effects caused by the nanoparticles, Eudrilus eugeniae, Danio rerio, and their embryos were exposed to the synthesized silver nanoparticles and evaluated using microscopic observation, histology, and Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES).