Structure of gum Arabic in aqueous solution

Yael Dror, Yachin Cohen, Rachel Yerushalmi-Rozen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

179 Scopus citations

Abstract

Gum arabie, a natural polysaccharide derived from exudates of Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal trees, is a commonly used food hydrocolloid. The complex chemical structure of the gum has been widely studied revealing a multifraction material consisting mainly of a highly branched polysaccharide and a protein-polysaccharide complex (GAGP) as a minor component. This work investigates its mesoscopic structure in aqueous solution by small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering combined with cryotransmission electrons microscopy. Scattering measurements reveal an intricate shape composed of many spheroidal aggregates assigned to the polysaccharide with a small amount of larger coils. A scattering peak is observed at moderate to high concentrations, the spacing of which exhibits a c-1/3 power law relation to polymer concentration (c). Upon addition of salt, this peak disappears, indicating its electrostatic nature. The large coils contribute a q-2 power law at the low scattering vector (q) range. However, at low concentration in which the interaggregate peak is not observed, a q-1 power law at the low q range indicates the possible existence of a fraction with a locally extended conformation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3265-3271
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Polymer Science, Part B: Polymer Physics
Volume44
Issue number22
DOIs
StatePublished - 15 Nov 2006

Keywords

  • Gum arabic
  • Hyperbranched
  • Neutron scattering
  • Polysaccharides
  • SAXS

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

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