title: Molecular and functional characteristics of purified gum from Australian chia seeds.
abstract: Chia seed gum (CSG) was extracted from the seed coat of Salvia hispanica, purified in the laboratory and its chemical composition and functional properties were investigated. CSG was found to comprise 93.8% carbohydrate consisting of xylose, glucose, arabinose, galactose, glucuronic acid and galacturonic acid as monosaccharide units. The presence of uronic acids was reflected in the anionic behavior of the CSG solution over a wide range of pH (≥ 1.8). The solubility of CSG increased slightly with temperature and pH of the aqueous medium. CSG was able to resist pyrolytic decomposition at temperatures well in excess of 250 °C, and exhibited a high water holding capacity (23 times of its own weight). The surface activity and emulsifying properties of CSG were found to be either superior or comparable to other common gums and industrial polysaccharides indicating the potential of CSG as an effective thickener and stabilizer of processed foods.
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic 3083, Australia; CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship, Clayton South, Vic 3169, Australia.
authors.forename: Yakindra Prasad
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Timilsena
authors.affiliation: CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship, Clayton South, Vic 3169, Australia.
authors.forename: Raju
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Adhikari
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic 3083, Australia.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kasapis
authors.affiliation: School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic 3083, Australia; CSIRO Manufacturing Flagship, Clayton South, Vic 3169, Australia. Electronic address: benu.adhikari@rmit.edu.au.
authors.forename: Benu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adhikari
mesh_terms: D045703:Emulsifying Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry*; D027544:Salvia / Q000737:chemistry*; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry*; D012995:Solubility; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D045703:Emulsifying Agents; D053149:Plant Gums; D014867:Water
keywords: Chia seed gum; Emulsion stability; Surface tension; Uronic acid; Zeta potential