Gelation of rhamnogalacturonan I is based on galactan side chain interaction and does not involve chemical modifications

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 171; pp. 143 - 151
• Main Authors: Mikshina, Polina V., Makshakova, Olga N., Petrova, Anna A., Gaifullina, Ilzira Z., Idiyatullin, Bulat Z., Gorshkova, Tatyana A., Zuev, Yuriy F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-09-2017
• Subjects: FTIR-spectroscopy; galactan; Galactans - chemistry; Galactose - metabolism; Gels - chemistry; microwave-induced gelation; Microwaves; NMR-spectroscopy; Pectins - chemistry; rhamnogalacturonan I; rhamnogalacturonan I; FTIR-spectroscopy; galactan; microwave-induced gelation; NMR-spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.05.013

•Fiber-specific RG-I forms a type of gel, which is not typical for other pectins.•Gel-forming RG-I does not contain modifying groups and homogalacturonan blocks.•Microwave-induced gelation of RG-I is not accompanied by its chemical modifications.•β-(1→4)-galactan side chains provide interactions necessary for RG-I gel formation.•Gelation of RG-I is associated with repacking of galactan side chains.
The article presents the structural principles of microwave-induced formation of new gel type from pectic rhamnogalacturonan I (RG-I). The backbone of gel-forming RG-I does not contain consecutive galacturonic residues and modifying groups that can be the cause of junction zone formation as it occurs in course of classical ways of pectin gelation. Microwave irradiation does not cause destruction and chemical modifications of RG-I. Removal of half of galactan chains from RG-I leads to loss of gelling capability pointing out on their leading role in this process. Rising of intensity of the bands attributed to galactose and glycosidic linkages in RG-I gel comparing to solution where this polymer exists as molecule associate indicates that the spatial organization of galactans in gel is changed. A model of the RG-I gelation is proposed: being destabilized at volumetric microwave heating RG-I associates are repacked forming network where RG-I molecules are entangled by galactan chains.