A New Protocol for Extraction of Galactomannan Gum from Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata L.) Seeds

The polysaccharides or gums are derived from the endosperm of various plants, mainly from Leguminosae seeds, where they function as reserve materials utilized during germination. Most of these polysaccharides share basic structural similarities, known as galactomannans. Galactomannans are reserve polysaccharides consisting mainly of the monosaccharides mannose and galactose units. The mannose-elements form a linear chain consisting of (1→4)-β-D-mannopyranosyl residues, with (1→6) linked α-D-galactopyranosyl residues as side chain at varying distances, depending on the plant of origin. Dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) seed contains hydrocolloidal polysaccharides composed of galactans and mannans units combined through glycosidic linkages very much similar to that obtained from guar gum having D-galactose-D mannose ratio of 1: 22. In this paper, a simple method of extraction have been elucidated which not only reduces and cost and energy involvement but also effective to yield sufficient gum constituents from the seeds.