The Effect of Gum Acacia on Post-Prandial Glucose and Insulin Levels in Healthy Subjects

This double-blind, controlled, randomized, three-way cross-over study evaluates the effect of 40 g (D1 group) and 20 g (D2 group) of acacia gum (AG) versus no treatment (NT group) on post-prandial glucose (PPG) levels in normal-weight and overweight subjects. Additionally, post-prandial insulin (PPI) levels as well as the safety and tolerability of gum acacia were assessed. 35 healthy subjects aged 25 - 60 years, body mass index 18.5 kg/m2 - 29.9 kg/m2, received one treatment of 20 g, 40 g, or 0 g of AG each. Glucose and insulin values were determined at -15 min and prior to the intake (time “0”) as well as 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 120, and 180 min after the “0 min” blood draw. The mean PPG levels were lower (34% in D1 group, p = 0.003;35% in D2 group, p = 0.005) than in the NT group. PPI concentration was statistically significantly lower at all time points except baseline in both treatment groups compared to NT groups. Global benefit and tolerability were rated as “very good” or “good” by 100% of subjects in the treatment groups. This study provides robust evidence of the significant benefits of AG consumption on PPG and PPI levels in healthy subjects. Moreover, very good tolerability was demonstrated.

Performance Evaluation of MWCNTs Reinforced Cement Mortar Composites using Natural and Commercial Surfactants

An efficient and promising approach for effectively dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWCNTs)in cementitious composites has been investigated.The naturally occurring organic extracts from species of indigenously known‘Keekar’trees scattered along tropical and sub-tropical regions;is found as an exceptional replacement to the non-natural commercial surfactants.In the initial phase of investigation,ideal surfactant’s content required for efficient dispersion of MWCNTs in solution was determined using ultra-violet spectroscopy.The experimental investigations were then extended to five different cement composite formulations containing 0.0,0.025,0.05,0.08 and 0.10%MWCNTs by weight of cement.It was observed that the natural surfactant produced efficient dispersion at much reduced cost(approx.14%)compared with the commercial alternate.The estimated weight efficiency factor f was found 6.5 times higher for the proposed sustainable replacement to the conventional along with remarkable increase of 23%in modulus of rupture on 0.08 wt%addition of MWCNTs.Besides strength enhancement,the dispersed MWCNTs also improved the first crack and ultimate fracture toughness by 51.5%and 35.9%,respectively.The field emission scanning electron microscopy of the cryofractured samples revealed efficient dispersion of MWCNTs in the matrix leading to the phenomenon of effective crack bridging and crack branching in the composite matrix.Furthermore,the proposed scheme significantly reduced the early age volumetric shrinkage by 39%.

Microencapsulation of dodecyl acetate by complex coacervation of whey protein with acacia gum and its release behavior

Complex coacervation of whey protein（WP） with acacia gum（AG） was carried out in water with the presence of dodecyl acetate （DA）,a component of insect sex pheromones,in order to obtain microcapsules with DA as the core material and WP-AG coacervate as the wall materials.Through variations in wall/core ratios,concentrations of the wall materials in capsule preparations,DA encapsulation was optimized,which showed a high DA encapsulation was achieved when coacervation was conducted at pH 3.5 with wall/core mass ratio at 3 combined with concentration of wall materials at 1.0 wt%.Morphology and the structure of DA loaded microcapsules were examined by scanning electron microscope,which showed the microcapsules were of core/shell structure with DA encapsulated in the inner of the microcapsules.DA release was examined and the behavior of the release was discussed.