Influence of gamma radiation on the physicochemical and rheological properties of sterculia gum polysaccharides

Keeping in view the influence of gamma radiation on the physiochemical properties of the polysaccharides and their importance in the food and pharmaceutical industry, in the present study attempt has been made to investigate the effects of absorbed dose on FTIR, XRD, SEMs, absorbance, pH, solubility, water absorption capacity, emulsion stability and rheology of sterculia gum. Increase in solubility and decrease in swellability of gum has been observed on increasing the absorbed dose. The emulsion stability has improved for the gum sample irradiated with total dose of 8.1 +/- 0.2 kGy. Apparent viscosity of gum solution first increased with increase in dose from 0 to 8.1 +/- 0.2 kGy than decreased with regular trends with further increase in total absorbed dose. Flow behavior of gum solution shifted to Newtonian from non-Newtonian with increasing the dose. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.