Transparent xyloglucan-chitosan complex hydrogels for different applications

This article reports the oxidation of xyloglucan and its transparent hydrogel formation with chitosan. The xyloglucan was oxidized by using periodate and the oxidized xyloglucan was blended with chitosan which formed versatile irreversible transparent hydrogels. The oxidation of xyloglucan and the covalent linkage between oxidized xyloglucan and chitosan was established by FTIR analysis. The morphological analyses of gel by SEM and TEM confirmed the evolution of nanosphere structure of xyloglucan (100 nm) linked with elongated and fibrous network of chitosan, besides; the gels formed are in self-assembled nature. Gelation property of xyloglucan-chitosan gel at different pH and concentration were examined by rheological tests. Incorporation of flavours and salts did not alter its gel nature. This complex gel possesses good thermal properties compared to the native xyloglucan. In addition, its antimicrobial and texture properties are very promising and this non-toxic, renewable gel will find extensive use in food and cosmetic applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.