Application of ionizing radiations to produce new polysaccharides and proteins with enhanced functionality

Treatment of polysaccharides with ionizing radiation either in the solid state or in aqueous solution leads to degradation. Using a mediating alkyne gas during the radiation treatment prevents the degradation of natural and synthetic polysaccharides and enables the introduction of different molecular and functional characteristics, as previously achieved with synthetic polymers. The molecular weight can be increased and hydrogel forms of the polysaccharides or proteins can be produced, probably by a cross-linking mechanism involving addition of C–C bond between two chains. The product has higher viscosity and is more elastic than the original material and, therefore, gives enhanced functionality. Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) irradiated for 6.2 kGy is used here to demonstrate the enhanced emulsification performance and stability compared with the original material.