Search Results (332)

This study comparatively investigates the efficacy of two natural, plant- and microbe-derived polysaccharides—xanthan gum (XG) and guar gum (GG)—in enhancing the water stability and shear strength of granite residual soil (GRS). GRS specimens treated with varying dosages of XG and GG were cured for 14 days and subsequently evaluated through direct shear and static-water disintegration tests. Concurrently, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) were employed to elucidate the underlying microstructural and pore-scale mechanisms. Direct shear test results indicate that the peak shear strength reached 295.9 kPa (2.0% GG) and 221.0 kPa (1.5% XG), representing increases of 58.2% and 35.7%, respectively. Quantitatively, GG and XG treatments yielded maximum internal friction angle improvements of 52.96% and 39.37%, with peak cohesion increases of 55.27% and 35.7%, respectively. During static-water immersion, the untreated GRS suffered complete disintegration within 200 s. In contrast, the 2.0% GG- and XG-treated specimens preserved overall structural integrity for 24 h. SEM observations revealed that XG and GG reconstruct the soil fabric by forming encapsulating films and interparticle bridging structures. Finally, LF-NMR analysis provided definitive quantitative proof of a “pore refinement” effect, where biopolymer treatment shifted the primary $T_2$ peaks from 4.64 ms to 3.51 ms. Notably, at a 2.0% dosage, dramatic NMR signal surges (up to 747.5 a.u. for XG and 704.3 a.u. for GG) revealed that excessive biopolymers tend to form localized ‘gel lumps’ rather than uniform films. These blobs weaken the biting force between soil particles, thereby accounting for the observed degradation in shear strength. Full article

Research on sustainable alternatives to conventional soil stabilization has promoted the use of natural biopolymers as partial substitutes for cementitious binders. This study presents a mechanical and microstructural comparison between poorly graded Colombian sand stabilized with guar gum (GG) and Type III Portland cement. GG was incorporated at 0.25–1.00% with curing periods of 28 and 90 days, while cement contents ranged from 3 to 9% with 7 days of curing. A total of 108 cylindrical specimens were tested using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and SEM–EDS analyses. Results show that both binders significantly improve soil strength, although cement exhibits a steeper strength gain due to hydration processes. GG-treated samples reached a maximum UCS of 470 kPa at 90 days, representing an increase of approximately 40% compared to 28 days and showing comparable performance to 5% cement. The porosity/binder index (η/B_iv) demonstrated a strong correlation with UCS (R² > 0.91), confirming its predictive capability. Microstructural analysis revealed the formation of C–S–H and ettringite in cement-treated samples, while GG-treated soils exhibited hydrogel bridges and the presence of pores that may influence particle bonding. Overall, the results demonstrate the technical feasibility of GG as a sustainable soil stabilization alternative. Full article

Published laboratory data on soil stabilisation are abundant, yet they remain fragmented across studies and are often difficult to reuse because of inconsistent reporting formats, heterogeneous testing conditions, and incomplete metadata. This article presents a curated experimental dataset compiled from 20 published studies on fine-grained soils, comprising 560 records, including 397 unconfined compressive strength (UCS) results and 163 California Bearing Ratio (CBR) results. The dataset is defined by the inclusion of laboratory studies designed around biopolymer-based two-additive stabilisation frameworks, while intentionally retaining untreated and single-additive comparator records reported within the same experimental programmes. This design is a key distinguishing feature of the dataset because it enables analysis of baseline soil behaviour, isolated additive effects, and combined-additive responses within a traceable study context. Across the included studies, the treatment systems cover a wide range of biopolymer- and lignin-related materials, including xanthan gum, guar gum, chitosan, sodium lignosulfonate, and electrolyte lignin stabiliser, together with complementary additives such as cement, lime, fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag, rice husk ash, glass powder, concrete waste, nano-additives, and natural or synthetic fibres. In addition to UCS and CBR outcomes, the dataset preserves key contextual variables required for meaningful secondary reuse, including soil classification, grain-size fractions, Atterberg limits, compaction properties, curing duration, additive identities and dosages, and source-level traceability. The data are distributed as a structured Excel workbook comprising two cleaned outcome-specific sheets (CBR_clean and UCS_clean) and four supporting documentation sheets (StudyInventory, DataDictionary, VocabularyMap, and QC_Log). Record-level identifiers, DOI-linked source fields, inferred-curing flags, and qualified outcome descriptors are retained to support auditability, selective filtering, and reproducible reuse. The resulting dataset provides a practical foundation for comparative assessment of stabilisation strategies, pavement and subgrade engineering studies, meta-analysis, and machine learning applications in geotechnical engineering. Full article

Conventional chemotherapies for cervical cancer, such as cisplatin (CDDP)-based treatments, are limited by high systemic toxicity and the development of cellular resistance. To address these drawbacks, this study reports the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Amphipterygium glaucum leaf extract (AGLE) and the development of a guar gum-based nanocomposite (SeNPs@GG) loaded with these NPs. The synthesized SeNPs showed a stable UV–Vis absorption band at 275 nm, a spherical morphology, and sizes ranging from 11 to 21 nm, as confirmed by TEM. FTIR and XPS analyses demonstrated interactions between Se and functional groups from the plant extract, indicating its dual role as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The guar gum nanocomposites (NCs) exhibited a porous structure with a homogeneous distribution of SeNPs, as evidenced by SEM and EDS. At the same time, XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of the SeNPs. In vitro cytotoxicity assays using HeLa cervical cancer cells revealed significant antiproliferative effects with a biphasic response related to Se’s dual biological role. The IC₅₀ values were 98.3 µg/mL for SeNPs, 93.7 µg/mL for SeNPs@GG1, and 93.5 µg/mL for SeNPs@GG2. Additional analyses confirmed apoptosis, DNA fragmentation, ROS production, mitochondrial dysfunction, and G2/M cell cycle arrest, supporting the potential of these systems as alternative chemotherapeutic strategies. Full article

The performance of shampoo is determined by complex interactions between surface active agents (SAAs), polymers, and formulation modifiers, which directly influence consumer-relevant properties. However, the formulation principles governing these interactions and their impact on product quality remain insufficiently characterized. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the formulation principles underlying the interaction between thickeners and surfactant systems in shampoo formulations and to assess how these interactions influence the overall performance and quality of the final product. For this purpose, two groups of shampoo formulations containing identical surfactant systems but different thickeners (acrylate copolymer and guar gum) were prepared and evaluated in terms of pH, cleansing power (wool thread method), foam volume and stability, and texture profile. The results demonstrated that pH values ranged from 6.52 to 7.23 in acrylate copolymer-based formulations and from 4.71 to 6.09 in guar gum-based formulations. Cleansing power reached up to approximately 35%, depending on surfactant composition and thickener type. Foam volume was higher in acrylate copolymer systems, with a maximum value of 161 mL, whereas guar gum-based formulations exhibited lower but more variable foam characteristics. Texture analysis revealed that guar gum formulations were more sensitive to changes in surfactant composition, whereas acrylate copolymer provided more consistent and controllable texture characteristics. Full article

Chronic wounds resulting from bacterial infection remain one of the main challenges in clinical practice. There is a pressing need to develop an injectable hydrogel sealant with multifunctional properties, including remodeling capabilities, self-healing, painless removal, and antibacterial activity, to promote tissue remodeling. In this work, aldehyde carboxymethylated agarose (ACMA) is employed for the first time as a bio-template. Dopamine (DA) is introduced onto the ACMA template via a reversible Schiff-base reaction, endowing it with biomineralization properties to synthesize DA-modified ACMA-Ag nanoparticles (ACMA-DA-Ag). Further, the prepared ACMA-DA-Ag, which possesses both antibacterial activity and injectable behavior, is incorporated into a guar gum hydrogel through the formation of borate/diol bonds, thereby forming a multiple-dynamic-bond crosslinked network. This hydrogel demonstrates adequate mechanical strength, injectability, remodeling capabilities, and self-healing performance. It can reassemble into a new hydrogel within 4 ± 0.6 min upon simple physical contact, and supports tissue adhesion. Furthermore, the hydrogel effectively covers irregular-shaped wound and can be removed without causing secondary injury. More importantly, this multifunctional hydrogel is cost-effective, easy to synthesize, and simple to use, significantly accelerating skin regeneration and promoting the formation of skin appendages, such as hair follicles. The outcome of this research not only serves a tissue sealant for wound healing, but also presents a new strategy for creating novel polysaccharide-based biomaterials. Full article

Guar gum (GG), a typical biopolymer, has found widespread use in packaging applications due to its biodegradability, non-toxicity, and low price. However, the further application of GG is significantly limited by its poor flexibility and water resistance. In this study, GG/natural rubber (NR) films were prepared by thermo-compressing hand-kneaded pastes made from GG powder and fresh NR latex. Various NR contents—5, 10, 20, and 40 wt%—were investigated. Water-resistant properties were determined by moisture absorption, water dissolution, surface wettability, and water vapor permeability. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated interactions between the dispersed NR phases and the GG matrix. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct phase separation between the GG and NR phases in the films. All GG/NR films exhibited excellent interfacial adhesion between GG and NR phases. Tensile results indicated that an increase in the amount of NR in the GG-based films led to a decrease in both maximum tensile strength and Young’s modulus, while elongation at break increased. GG/40% NR films exhibited an elongation at break of 17.5%, which is a substantial increase of 415% compared to pure GG films. The addition of NR showed improved water-resistant properties of GG-based films; however, the rate of biodegradation during soil burial decreased as the NR ratios increased. These thermo-compressed GG/NR blends hold promise as sustainable alternatives to single-use plastic packaging applications. Full article

Fracturing flowback fluid is a complex wastewater generated during oil extraction, characterized by high concentrations of organic matter, suspended solids, salts, and various chemical additives, posing substantial risks to both surface water and groundwater if discharged directly. This study investigated the treatment of simulated fracturing flowback fluid prepared with guar gum using low-temperature plasma coupled with hydrogen peroxide technology. The degradation efficacy and preliminary mechanism of the combined system on organic pollutants were explored. Through a systematic optimization of operational parameters in the laboratory, the optimal treatment conditions were determined as a discharge voltage of 18 kV, a hydrogen peroxide addition of 5%, an initial pH of 11, and a treatment time of 110 min. Under these conditions, the synergistic system achieved 89.59 percent degradation of organic pollutants and 92.96 percent chemical oxygen demand removal. The results revealed that the combined action induced breakage of guar gum polymer chains, thereby enhancing degradation efficiency while effectively controlling fluid viscosity. This technology establishes a practical treatment approach for simulated fracturing flowback fluids containing guar gum, thereby facilitating better waste management in the energy sector. Full article

To prevent fouling in blast furnace gas top pressure recovery turbine units, the dust content of the gas must be reduced, necessitating its deep purification. A critical challenge to be addressed is the low collection efficiency of fine particulate matter. To improve the collection efficiency of the fine particulate dust in BFG by wet electrostatic precipitators (WESPs), this study implemented measures such as optimizing nozzle atomization performance and the spatial distribution of droplets, along with adding chemical agglomeration agents and surfactants. These approaches promoted the chemical agglomeration of fine dust and enhanced dust collection efficiency. In this study, five nozzle types, six chemical agglomerating agents, and three surfactants were tested. The results show that, under overlapping spray conditions, the 1/8 solid cone nozzle produced the smallest droplet size with the most uniform spatial distribution, exhibiting a d50 of 141.17 μm. When this nozzle was used in combination with guar gum (GG) as a chemical agglomerant, the d50 of BFG dust increased from 8.46 μm to 14.75 μm. The synergistic application of 5 mg/m³ sesbania gum (SBG) and 5 mg/m³ octylphenol ethoxylate (OP-10) further increased the dust d50 to 19.08 μm. Using the 1/8 solid cone nozzle and an XTG concentration of 5 mg/m³ resulted in the highest dust collection efficiency of 96.76%, while the synergistic use of SBG/OP-10 achieved an efficiency of 97.69%. This study elucidates the influence of nozzle atomization characteristics and spray liquid type on dust agglomeration and collection efficiency, achieving an improvement in dust-removal efficiency and the capture of fine-particulate dust, and providing both theoretical and practical foundations for the deep purification of blast furnace gas. Full article

To address the need for enhanced geotechnical performance in gravelly soil stabilization, this study investigated the synergistic effects of guar gum as an additive in enzyme-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (EICP) treatment. Through systematic experimentation combining unconfined compressive strength (UCS) tests, carbonate content quantification, and triaxial analysis, the mechanical behavior of treated soils was evaluated under varying EICP solution concentrations (0–2 mol/L) and curing durations. Results demonstrated that a 1.5 mol/L EICP solution achieved peak strength and carbonate precipitation before subsequent decline, while a 1% guar gum dosage optimized mechanical properties by balancing initial strength enhancement and precipitation efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy revealed microstructural mechanisms wherein guar gum provided heterogeneous nucleation sites for calcite crystals, while its interaction with EICP enabled dual-phase pore filling and interparticle bonding. This synergistic effect created a three-dimensionally reinforced matrix, significantly improving both UCS and unconsolidated undrained shear strength compared to native and EICP-only specimens. The findings establish a theoretical framework for regulating calcite precipitation patterns and enhancing cementation mechanisms in gravelly soil improvement, offering practical guidelines for foundation engineering applications through the combined use of guar gum and EICP. Full article

Green rice husk dietary fiber (GHDF) is an underutilized agricultural by-product with promising potential for applications in the food industry. This study investigated the effects of incorporating dietary fiber from GHDF at 1%, 3%, and 5% together with different hydrocolloids, including xanthan gum (XG), carrageenan (CC), and guar gum (GG), on the physical and chemical, textural properties, and consumer acceptance of gummy products. The results showed that adding more GHDF increased the nutritional value of the gummies, with total dietary fiber ranging from 1.01 to 5.02 g per 100 g of product. FTIR results also showed that fiber from green rice husk was present in the gummies. The combined addition of GHDF and hydrocolloids also affected the internal gel structure of the products. This interaction made the gel structure stronger, resulting in firmer gummies with greater hardness, gumminess, and chewiness. In addition, higher GHDF levels contributed to reduced syneresis. Among the hydrocolloids tested, xanthan gum produced the strongest gel, while the formulation with 3% GG received the highest consumer liking scores. These results suggest that GHDF could be used as a useful ingredient to develop food products with higher nutritional value and better use of agricultural by-products. Full article

Bigels (BGs) are promising biphasic systems for extrusion-based 3D food printing inks. In this study, BG inks were formulated by combining a 6% beeswax—4% monoglycerides oleogel (OG) with a 4% gelatin—1% guar gum hydrogel (HG). The BGs were formulated at OG:HG ratios of 10:90 up to 50:50. The effect of the OG:HG ratio on appearance, microstructure, extrusion, rheological and thermal characteristics was investigated to assess printability and shape fidelity. All formulations showed no signs of phase separation during storage, while changes in color were observed with increasing OG content, suggesting modifications in phase distribution and light-scattering behavior. Increasing the OG content induced a transition from OG-in-HG systems to a bicontinuous structure at a 50:50 ratio. All inks showed shear-thinning behavior (G′ > G″) and viscoelastic properties suitable for 3D printing. BG with intermediate OG contents displayed moderate extrusion forces (7.27–9.00 N) and improved structural recovery (up to ≈60%), consistent with desirable printability and appropriate yield/flow points to ensure shape fidelity after deposition. Thermal analysis further confirmed the coexistence of OG and HG phases, ensuring structural integrity at printing temperature. These findings demonstrate the potential of BG as tunable, fat-reduced inks for 3D food structuring. Full article

The fracturing development of low-permeability and ultra-low-permeability oil and gas reservoirs urgently requires a fracturing fluid that combines high performance and low damage. To overcome this challenge, this study synthesized a novel polyamine boron crosslinker (PBC) suitable for 0.2% guar gum. The molecular structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (¹H NMR). Meanwhile, this study introduced the response surface methodology and established a second-order regression model to determine the optimal synthesis conditions (polyetheramine 10.8 g, n-butanol 7.4 g, and ethylene glycol 20.7 g) with a model prediction error of only 0.7%. The results indicated that PBC exhibited excellent performance in 0.2% guar gum. The viscosity of crosslinked gel fracturing fluid remained stable at approximately 100 mPa·s under 60 °C and 100 s⁻¹ shear. The wall forming filtration coefficient was 2.30 × 10⁻⁴ m/s^1/2, and the initial filtration was 1.30 × 10⁻³ m³/m². The static settling rate was 2.4 cm·min⁻¹, demonstrating good suspended sand capacity. Furthermore, the synergistic interaction between borate ester bond and polyetheramine in the PBC conferred dynamic reversible crosslinking and uniform network formation. This enabled high-strength, low-damage crosslinking effects at low concentrations. This study provides an efficient crosslinker solution for 0.2% guar gum, holding both theoretical and engineering significance for advancing the low-cost development of fracturing fluid. Full article

Crystal dumpling wrapper production is hampered by rapid surface dehydration, severe freeze-cracking propensity, and storage-induced retrogradation. Modulation of blended starch properties through functional additives was investigated. This study systematically evaluated the impact of hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate (HPDSP), trehalose (TRE), guar gum (GG), and composite phosphates (CP) on physicochemical and structural properties of wheat–potato starch composite gel. Concurrently, the effects of additives on the cracking rate of crystal dumplings and texture of wrappers were investigated. Analysis revealed that apparent viscosity was increased by all additives except CP. Different additives significantly improved the freeze–thaw stability of the composite gel during the first three cycles. GG maintained enhanced freeze–thaw stability throughout the entire freeze–thaw cycle (dehydration shrinkage rate: 2.69–40.55%). Multivariate analytical techniques (SEM, FTIR, XRD, DSC) collectively indicated that the additives effectively inhibited starch retrogradation, whilst HPDSP showed the strongest retrogradation inhibition. CP enhanced water-retention capacity and produced a softer blended gel (hardness at 21 days was 100.56 gf). Furthermore, additives significantly reduced the freezing cracking rate of crystal dumplings and improved the textural properties of dumpling wrappers. Full article

Every year worldwide, citrus processing generates large volumes of by-products, often wasted, although rich in bioactive compounds. In this study, mandarin peel (Citrus reticulata) was used as a source of functional compounds for the development of guar gum/chitosan functionalized edible films. The response surface methodology was used for both bioactive extraction and edible film formulation. For extraction, the optimization focused on extraction time, solvent composition (acetone/water ratio), and solvent/solid ratio, while for edible film, the guar gum/chitosan ratio, glycerol content, and mandarin peel extract concentration were selected as critical formulation variables. The predictive models exhibited high statistical significance (p < 0.05), adequate predictive ability, and good consistency of predicted and experimental values. The extraction optimization allowed significant results in total polyphenols (329.59 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (42.6 mg QE/g), and total carotenoids (1.53 mg/g) associated with significant antioxidant activity. Mandarin peel bioactive compounds integrated into composite edible film resulted in excellent functional properties in terms of swelling index (65.83%), water absorption (65.48%), weight loss (41.91%) and visual appearance (L* 89.30). These findings support formulating chitosan–guar gum films with mandarin peel bioactives, advancing biopolymer-based approaches toward next-generation sustainable packaging. Full article