Carrageenan based hydrogels and composites: A systematic investigation reporting their multidimentional essence

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Date

2016, 2016

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

Abstract

Carrageenans are red seaweed extracted sulfated linear polysaccharides which possess excellent gel forming properties. They are extensively used for their thickening, gel forming as well as stabilizing properties in food industries. Due to their good protein binding abilities, they are preferred in meat and dairy preservation. Structurally, they are polymers of alternately repeating disaccharide unit, ?-(133)-D-galactose and ?-(134)-3,6- anhydro-D- or L-galactose. Sulphation of the galactose gives them the distinguishing properties. Three isomeric forms of carrageenan with slightly different properties exist in nature. Their hydrogels are used in tissue engineering and controlled drug delivery while their composites find applications in wound dressings, protection of fish and meat from dehydration. In the field of medicine, carrageenans possess anticoagulant, antithrombotic, antiviral, and antitumor activities. Besides they also possess many industrial applications. ? 2016 Nova Science Publishers, Inc.

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Keywords

Biochemistry, Controlled drug delivery, Drug products, Hydrogels, Meats, Seaweed, Tissue, Anti-tumor activities, Carrageenans, Disaccharide units, Forming properties, Red seaweeds, Stabilizing properties, Sulphation, Wound dressings, Tissue engineering

Citation

Ul Rehman, W., Majeed, A., Rani, P., Saini, K. C., Najar, R. A., Mehra, R., . . . Bast, F. (2016). Carrageenan based hydrogels and composites: A systematic investigation reporting their multidimentional essence Natural Polymers: Derivatives, Blends and Composites, Volume I (pp. 65-80).