Galactomannans from different Prosopis species: Extraction, characterization, and applications

Abstract

Many seed gums extracted from Prosopis spp. were investigated during recent years: P.africana from Senegal, P. affinis from Uruguay, P. glandulosa from México have shownpromising physicochemical properties and high similarity to galactomannan gums commercially available. Vinal gum is extracted from the endosperm of Prosopis ruscifoliaseeds (widely available in semiarid regions of South America).This chapter covers some aspects of milling of pods, the first step before extracting the gums, gum extraction techniques from seeds from different Prosopis species and characterization of their galactomanans. Rheology of the gum suspensions, sorptionisotherms and some controversial aspects of the thermal transitions, which gave rise toin correct characterization of glass transition temperature, and potential applications are also covered. This information may contribute to sustainable use of non-timber resources from the forest and to promote innovations with technological impact in food, pharmaceutical or other industries and social development in some native communities.