Agglomeration of galactomannan gum powders: Physical, rheological, and structural characterizations

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 256; p. 117599
• Main Authors: Lee, Hyundo, Yoo, Byoungseung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 15.03.2021
• Subjects: Agglomeration; Elasticity; Fluidized bed; Galactans - chemistry; Galactomannans; Mannans - chemistry; Materials Testing; Particle Size; Physical property; Plant Gums - chemistry; Polysaccharides - chemistry; Porosity; Powders; Rheological property; Rheology; Viscosity; Physical property; Rheological property; Agglomeration; Galactomannans; Fluidized bed
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117599

•Agglomerated gums with higher maltodextrin (MD) concentrations showed better physical properties.•The addition of MD binder had a considerable effect on the particle size of gum powders.•Agglomeration of guar gum (GG) with higher MD concentrations enhanced the dispersion stability.•GG showed lower tan δ than locust bean gum, indicating the enhancement of their elastic properties.•Physical and rheological properties were dependent on MD concentration and gum type. Galactomannans (GM), such as guar gum (GG) and locust bean gum (LBG), are extensively used as a thickening agent in the food industry. In this work, the physical, rheological, and structural properties of GG and LBG agglomerated via a fluidized bed agglomerator with different concentrations of maltodextrin (MD) binder were investigated. Agglomerated GM at 40 % MD showed lower Carr index and Hausner ratio, indicating better flowability and lower cohesiveness. The GG showed larger particle sizes than LBG, which was confirmed via SEM images and size distribution profiles. The GM with MD exhibited improved rheological properties. The GG showed lower tan δ values than LBG, indicating the enhancement of their elastic properties. Results exhibit that the physical, rheological, and structural properties of GM can be greatly affected by their agglomerate growths during fluidized bed agglomeration of particles with varying concentrations of MD binder as well as the type of gum.