Porous hydrogel composite with whey protein isolate and galactomannans of Leucaena leucocephala (subabul) seeds: Stability, rheological, thermal, and morphological characterization

Abstract

The present study was aimed at curating a porous KCl crosslinked hydrogel with purified subabul galactomannans (SG) from the defatted seeds of Leucaena leucocephala (subabul) and κ-carrageenan (κC) by inducing whey protein isolate (WPI). WPI showed 345% foam overrun and minimal foam drainage (%) at 70 • C when whipped for 5 min at pH 6.8 in the hydrogel prepared with 6.5% w/v SG + 1% w/v κC + 0.63% w/v KCl + 2% w/v WPI. The SG and WPI incorporated porous hydrogel (SGWP) showed maximum G′ (3010 Pa) and frequency independence (>30 Hz) at 65 • C. NMR ( 1 H), scanning electron microscopy, and thermal characterization of SGWP showed a crosslinked microporous gel network formation. SGWP had high water uptake rate (Q) (432%) at 45 • C. The stability of SGWP at neutral pH and high temperature (65 • C) added an impetus to this study as it could be used for a wide range of applications. Hence the proteinpolysaccharide complexation improvised the functional properties of the porous hydrogels. The results suggested a possible valorization of galactomannans from subabul, a forest resource, into a porous hydrogel suitable as a matrix for delivery of bioactive(s) or an aerogel for multifarious industrial applications. K E Y W O R D Scrosslinking, foam overrun, Leucaena leucocephala, porous hydrogel, whey protein isolates Practical Application: A porous hydrogel is defined as a solid, or collection of solid bodies, with sufficient open space to enable a fluid to pass through or around them. Leucaena leucocephala seed (forest resource) galactomannans are non-starch polysaccharides having weak gelling capacity. Whey protein isolates (WPI) are a dairy industry byproduct having excellent foaming properties.Incorporation of WPI in the hydrogel prepared with subabul galactomannan and κ-carrageenan using KCl as a crosslin could form a stable porous structure having high water uptake rate (Q) at neutral pH and elevated temperature. The hydrogel so developed could be a step toward circular economy.

Delivery kinetics of natural active agents by PVA hydrogels intended for wound care

“…"barbatimao" and "hydrogel" resulted in no paper found. Searching "Leucaena leucocephala" and "hydrogel", 2 papers were found, none regarding PVA hydrogels [37,38]. 40 papers were found searching for "aloe vera" and "hydrogel"; among then, five were related to "aloe vera" and "PVA" and "hydrogel": PVA-aloe vera-graphene with antibacterial activity [39], PVAaloe vera-curcumin for wound healing [40], PVA-aloe vera-salicylic acid for wound dressing [41], PVA-aloe vera-chitosan for skin needs [42], PVA-aloe vera-PVP gels prepared by radiation [43].…”