Physico-chemical characterization of the temperature dependent hydration kinetics of Gleditsia sinensis gum.

The physico-chemical properties and hydration kinetics of Gleditsia sinensis gum were investigated to evaluate its temperature dependence. The increase of temperature resulted in improved solubility of G. sinensis gum, and the dissolved galactomannan showed decreased degree of galactose substitution (DSGal) and increased molecular weight (p<0.05, ANOVA). The solubility of G. sinensis galactomannan at 25, 45, 60 and 80 °C was 73.4, 83.8, 98.1, and 99.4%, respectively. Weibull and Logarithmic models were well fitted (R(2)>0.96), and the hydration index t0.8 at different temperatures varied in the range of 51-302 min. It was found that galactomannan with low DSGal and high molecular weight exhibited slow hydration rate and poor solubility.