Preparation and characterization of CMC-konjac mannan mixture gel

Kasahara, Takamitsu*; Takigami, Machiko*; Nagasawa, Naotsugu; Prawitwong, P.*; Tamada, Masao; Takigami, Shoji*

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) forms a gel when mixed with acid as a result of replacement of sodium in carboxymethyl group with hydrogen; hydrogen bonds are formed among CMC molecules. CMC gel gets new property by mixing with other materials. Konjac mannan (KM) is a water soluble glucomannan with high molar mass and has high viscosity in low concentration aqueous solution. CMC gel is expected to have more elasticity by mixing with KM. Novel CMC-KM mixture gel is made by two processes; (1) mixing CMC with KM solution, (2) immersion of CMC-KM mixture in hydrochloric acid aqueous solution. Interaction of CMC and KM was studied by using KM with different molar mass. Molar mass of KM easily decreases by -irradiation. The effect of KM molar mass on characteristics of CMC-KM mixture is examined using tensile test fixture.