Abstract:
Carboxymethylated Piliostigama reticulatum seed gum (CM-PRSG) was prepared by treating the PRSG seed gum with monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in the presence of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Various reaction conditions were optimized. The influence of the reaction temperatures and times, concentrations of sodium hydroxide and MCA on the degree of substitution (DS) were investigated. The result shows that Optimum preparation conditions for a CM-PRSG with DS of 0.0453 are: reaction temperature, 35оC; reaction time, 30 min; NaOH concentration was 4.15 mmol and MCA concentration was 4.15 mmol. The yield was 6.5 grams. Fourier-transform infrared analysis of the products indicates the successful carboxymethylation by the presence of the characteristics absorption bands at 1741 and 1000-1100 cm-1.