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. 2019 Jul 19;1:100024. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpx.2019.100024

Table 2.

Natural polymers used in this study and their food and pharmaceutical applications.

Gum Structure Common uses and applications
  • 1.

    Gums containing acidic moieties

Gum Arabic Main chain consisting of β-(1,3) linked galactose units with branches of β-(1,6) linked galactose and arabinose with terminal rhamnose and glucuronic acid. Contains 2% of protein within the structure[1]. Suspending agent, emulsifying agent, binder in tablets, demulcent and emollient in cosmetics[2,3], osmotic drug delivery[4].
Pectin Linear chain of α-(1,4) linked galacturonic acid units, with up to 80% of these occurring as methyl esters. Contains up to 4% of rhamnose units, which are then linked to arabinose, galactose and xylose side chains[1]. Thickening agent, suspending agent, stabilizer[2,5], floating beads[6], controlled drug delivery (ocular[7], transdermal[8], colonic[9,10]).
Alginate Linear structure consisting of (1,4) linked β-mannuronic and α-guluronic acids, with proportions depending on the source[1]. Thickening agent, stabilizer[2,5], sustained release agent[11,12], film coatings[13], mucoadhesive systems[14].



  • 2.

    Gums containing basic moieties

Chitosan Deacetylated derivative of chitin composed of randomly distributed β-(1–4)-linked glucosamine (deacetylated unit) and N-acetyl-glucosamine (acetylated unit)[15]. Tissue engineering[16–22], wound dressing[23,24] , antibacterial[25], drug delivery[26].



  • 3.

    Sulphated gums

κ-carrageenan Disaccharide repeat unit of β-(1,3) linked galactose-4-sulfate and α-(1,4) linked 3,6-anhydrogalactose residues[1]. Thickening agent, gelling agent, stabilizer[2], laxative[5], tablet matrix[27], controlled release agent[28–30].



  • 4.

    Gluco and galactomannans

Guar gum Main chain consisting of β-(1,4) mannose units with galactose with α-(1,6) linked branches. Mannose to galactose ratio is 2:1[1]. Binder, disintegrant, thickening agent, emulsifier, laxative[2,5], sustained release agent[31], colon targeted drug delivery[32].
Tara gum Main chain consisting of β-(1,4) mannose units with galactose with α-(1,6) linked branches. Mannose to galactose ratio is 3:1[1]. Thickener, stabilizer[2,5], controlled release agent[33–35].
Locust bean gum Main chain consisting of β-(1,4) mannose units with galactose with α-(1,6) linked branches. Mannose to galactose ratio is 4–4.5:1[1]. Thickener, stabilizer[2,5] and controlled release agent (oral, buccal, colonic, ocular and topical)[36].
Konjac Main chain consisting of β-(1,4) mannose and glucose units with α-(1,3) linked branches. Mannose to glucose ratio is 1.6:1[1]. Gelling agent, thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer[2], Controlled release formulation[37–40].