Analysis of gums and mucilages

Abstract In the past two decades, natural water-soluble polymers have evoked tremendous interest due to their interesting applications in both food and pharmaceutical industries. Gums and mucilages are two interesting natural compounds with several biological and industrial potentialities. Their utilization is related to the characteristic physicochemical properties supplied by the polysaccharides that composed the two matrices, often at costs below those of synthetic polymers. Moreover, the possibility to modify their structure makes them suitable for several biotechnological purposes. This former is fundamental for biological role and potential, but, at the same time, requires the utilization of a multiple technique and approaches to reveal the complexity of these matrices, both during the extraction and the isolation/identification, with the employment of sophisticated instruments and techniques of analysis.