2009 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

Structure and rheological properties of the seed-surface mucilage of Karin (Chaenomelese sinensis).

Research Project

Project/Area Number	18500602
Research Category	Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
Allocation Type	Single-year Grants
Section	一般
Research Field	Eating habits, studies on eating habits
Research Institution	Osaka Kyoiku University
Principal Investigator	NAKATA Shinobu Osaka Kyoiku University, 教育学部, 教授 (00164210)
Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha)	KAKUTA Mariko 甲南女子大学, 人間科学部, 教授 (00131516)
Project Period (FY)	2006 – 2009
Keywords	粘性多糖 / 増粘剤 / キシログルカン
Research Abstract	The seeds of Karin (Chaenomelese sinensis), usually discarded, are surrounded with transparent mucilage, which appears readily extractable with water to give hydrocolloidal solution. We report the structural features of Karin seed-surface mucilage and its colloidal characteristics. The structural feature of Karin seed-surface mucilage was assumed as O-2-substituted D-glucurono-L-arabino-(1→4)-ss-D-xylan. This unique seed-surface mucilage may be built up with the above acidic polysaccharide and D-xylo (1→4)-ss-D-glucan, associated by intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Fibrous form cellulose was not found by hydrolysis of the Karin mucilage, not like quince. The thixotropic behavior and water-holding capabilities of the mucilage show Karin seed mucilage is appreciable to food additives and cosmetic utilization, such as lotion.