'Green' polymeric electrospun fibers based on tree-gum hydrocolloids

Exudate gums are the natural secretions of different tree species and exhibit unique properties encompassing a wide variety of applications in food, pharmaceutical, adhesive, paper, textile, beverage, and other industries. The major exudates gums namely gum Arabic, gum Karaya, gum Tragacanth, gum Kondagogu, and gum Ghatti possess a unique range of functionalities. Biochemically, more than 90% of the gum biomass exists in the form of carbohydrate polymers (polysaccharides). Since these biopolymers are abundant, originate from renewable sources, and are relatively inexpensive and are nontoxic, they are amenable to both chemical and biochemical modifications. The present chapter focuses on “green” methods for the synthesis and stabilization of nanoparticles (NPs), and “green electrospinning” of tree gums to produce nanofibers and membranes. Furthermore, it considers the impending applications of gum fibers, NP-based gum functional materials, and gum electrospun fibers for environmental and biomedical applications.