Konjac glucomannan - ≥95% , CAS No.37220-17-0

CAS: 37220-17-0 Cat. No.: K303575 Número EC: 253-404-6

Storage

Room temperature,Desiccated

Shipped In

Normal

Specifications

Especificaciones y pureza

≥95%

Condiciones de almacenamiento de almacenamiento

Room temperature,Desiccated

Enviado en

Normal

Application Protocols

No vendor-validated assay protocols are provided for this item. The following general, literature-based procedures illustrate typical laboratory use cases.

• Preparing a 1% w/v KGM solution (high-viscosity stock):

  1. Heat deionized water to 60–80 °C under vigorous stirring.
  2. Slowly sprinkle KGM powder onto the vortex to avoid clumping; maintain strong shear for 20–40 min until fully hydrated.
  3. Optional: Pre-wet powder with a small volume of ethanol or isopropanol before addition to reduce lumping.
  4. Cool to room temperature while stirring; degas by resting or brief vacuum.
  5. Use immediately or store cold with appropriate biocide if solution will be kept for extended periods (research-only).

• Forming an alkali/heat-induced gel:

  1. Prepare 1–2% w/v KGM in water.
  2. Adjust to mildly alkaline pH (e.g., with Na2CO3/NaOH, minimal excess).
  3. Heat to ~85–95 °C for 10–30 min, then cool; gel strength depends on DA, concentration, and ionic content.

• Borate-complexed gel (reversible):

  1. Mix KGM solution (0.5–2% w/v) with borax solution at pH 8–10.
  2. Allow to stand for gelation; tune borax level to adjust stiffness.

Adjust parameters to your polymer batch and desired rheology; consult CoA for viscosity benchmarks.

Biological Roles

General biological context (literature; not specific to this item):

• Origin and function: Konjac glucomannan is a storage polysaccharide in Amorphophallus spp. tubers, serving as an energy reserve composed of β-(1→4)-linked D-mannose and D-glucose.
• Physicochemical behavior in aqueous environments: Highly hydrophilic with strong water-binding capacity; forms viscous solutions and hydrogels that can modulate mass transport of solutes in experimental systems.
• Interactions: Hydroxyl-rich backbone enables hydrogen bonding with proteins and polysaccharides; blends exhibit synergistic viscosity increases with certain galactomannans.
• Biodegradation: Susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis by β-mannanases and related glycosidases; microbial communities can utilize KGM as a carbon source.
• Relevance to in vitro models: Often used to mimic extracellular matrix-like viscoelastic properties in acellular gel systems, diffusion studies, and material–biomolecule interaction assays.

No clinical or health claims are made. Any biological discussions are provided strictly to inform research design and material selection.

Buffer Applications

Konjac glucomannan is not a buffering reagent and does not constitute a defined buffer system. However, it can be incorporated into buffered solutions to tune rheology.

Practical notes for use in buffers (literature/general):

• Viscosity control: 0.1–1.0% w/v KGM in phosphate or HEPES buffers can substantially increase zero-shear viscosity, affecting diffusion and mixing—useful for simulating crowded or mucosal environments in physical chemistry experiments.
• pH considerations: Maintain near-neutral pH to minimize hydrolysis; prolonged exposure to strong acids/bases reduces molecular weight and viscosity.
• Salt effects: Ionic strength can compress polymer coils and alter viscosity; optimize NaCl or divalent cation levels according to the target rheology.
• Filtration: High-viscosity solutions may be difficult to sterile filter; consider autoclave-compatible formulations or prepare under aseptic conditions if sterility is required.

For traditional buffer formulation details (pKa, capacity), refer instead to dedicated buffering agents (e.g., phosphate, Tris, HEPES).

Green Alternatives

Konjac glucomannan itself is a bio-based, renewable polymer with favorable environmental attributes compared to many petroleum-derived rheology modifiers.

Sustainability considerations (literature/general):

• Feedstock: Plant-derived, biodegradable, and compostable under appropriate conditions.
• Processing: Aqueous processing at moderate temperatures is typical; organic solvents are generally unnecessary except for precipitation or pre-wetting.
• End-of-life: Hydrolysable to sugars; low ecotoxicity in dilute aqueous effluents.

Comparison to common alternatives:

• Versus synthetic thickeners (e.g., polyacrylates, PVP):
  • Pros: Renewable, biodegradable, low residual monomer concerns; effective at low loadings.
  • Trade-offs: Batch variability (Mw, DA) and narrower pH/thermal stability window; susceptibility to microbial growth without preservation.
• Versus other biopolymers (alginate, xanthan, cellulose ethers):
  • Pros: High viscosity at low concentration; unique acetylation-dependent solubility and gelation pathways (alkali/heat, borate complexation).
  • Trade-offs: Less tolerance to strong acid/base and prolonged high-temperature processing compared to cellulose ethers; may require blending for ion-mediated gelation strength comparable to alginate.

Greener processing tips:

• Use water as the sole solvent; avoid halogenated or high-VOC solvents.
• Employ mechanical dispersion and heat rather than chemical modifiers when feasible.
• Preserve with low-toxicity biocides only if necessary for extended storage of research solutions, and dispose according to local regulations.

Pharmaceutical Uses

No therapeutic claims are made. The following refers to excipient and manufacturing roles reported in the literature (not item-specific):

• Excipient roles: Thickener, suspending agent, and matrix former in oral dosage prototypes; contributes to disintegration/erosion control when used as a swellable polymer.
• Hydrogel matrices: Investigated for controlled-release research due to high water uptake and modifiable crosslinking (e.g., via oxidation–coupling or epichlorohydrin crosslinking).
• Capsule/film research: Forms films and edible coatings when combined with plasticizers; mechanical properties improved through blending with other polysaccharides or proteins.
• Process considerations:
  • Hydration and viscosity: Achieves high viscosity at low loadings; careful powder addition and shear are needed to avoid agglomeration.
  • Stability: Sensitive to acid/base hydrolysis and thermal degradation; enzymes (mannanases) can decrease Mw; preservatives may be required to limit bioburden in aqueous intermediates.
• Regulatory notes: Pharmacopeial monographs may exist for related plant gums; verify specific compendial status, microbial limits, and residual solvent standards on a per-project basis.

All uses described are for formulation research and development only; consult applicable regulations and compendia when selecting excipients for regulated applications.

Physical Properties

Item-specific physical specifications: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

Literature and general characteristics (for konjac glucomannan, non-binding):

• Physical form: Off-white to light cream, amorphous powder; highly hydrophilic and prone to clumping upon rapid wetting.
• Solubility/Swelling: Swells strongly in cold water and dissolves more readily in warm/hot water to give very high-viscosity solutions; insoluble in most organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, acetone). Salt and pH can modulate viscosity.
• Decomposition/Melting: Thermally labile biopolymer; no true melting point—gradual thermal degradation on heating (literature).
• Average molecular weight: Often reported in the 200 kDa–2,000 kDa range depending on source and processing (literature; highly polydisperse).
• Degree of acetylation (DA): Typically low (≈2–10% of monosaccharide units acetylated), influencing solubility and gelation (literature).
• Density/bulk density: True polymer density near ~1.4–1.6 g/cm³; bulk density typically much lower (≈0.2–0.6 g/mL) depending on grind (literature).
• LogP/pKa: Not applicable to a macromolecular carbohydrate; behaves as a neutral, highly hydrophilic polymer with multiple hydroxyl groups (literature).
• Refractive index (as solution): Typical of aqueous carbohydrate solutions; used for concentration monitoring by refractometry (literature).

Practical notes:

• Hydration kinetics are slow; pre-wetting with a miscible nonsolvent (e.g., ethanol) or controlled high-shear addition minimizes lumping.
• Viscosity is strongly concentration- and shear-dependent; small concentration changes can produce large viscosity changes.

Quality and Grades

Item-specific grade/purity and appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

How KGM quality is typically defined (literature/general):

• Composition metrics: Mannose:glucose ratio (M:G), degree of acetylation (DA), moisture, ash, and protein content.
• Molecular characteristics: Weight-average molecular weight (Mw), polydispersity index (PDI), and intrinsic viscosity; these dictate rheology and gel behavior.
• Functional metrics: Viscosity at specified concentration and temperature (e.g., 1% w/v at 25 °C), gel strength after alkali/thermal treatment, and clarity/turbidity.
• Purity aspects: Low levels of residual starches, pigments, and inorganic contaminants are preferred for analytical or materials research; microbial counts and endotoxin may be relevant for biofabrication contexts (if applicable to the intended use).
• Stabilizers: KGM is commonly supplied without stabilizers; acetylation inherent to the polymer can impart hydration and solubility properties. Any added preservatives would be disclosed on the CoA.

Interpretation for this item:

• In the absence of declared grade, users should verify suitability by consulting the CoA for viscosity specification, moisture, DA, M:G ratio, and any microbial limits relevant to their protocol. For chromatography or cell-related research, low-UV background and bioburden may be critical decision points.

Reaction and Applications

As a functional biopolymer, konjac glucomannan sees broad research use in soft materials, rheology modification, and biomaterials.

• Materials and formulation research:
  • Thickener and rheology modifier in aqueous systems for coatings, inks, and cosmetic prototypes; small additions (≤1% w/v) impart substantial viscosity (literature).
  • Hydrogel fabrication via alkali/thermal deacetylation yielding thermally reversible gels; properties tuned by concentration, DA, and ionic content.
• Crosslinking and network formation (literature):
  • Borate complexation with cis-diols forms reversible physical gels.
  • Covalent crosslinking with epichlorohydrin (under basic conditions) produces water-stable networks.
  • Periodate oxidation of vicinal diols to dialdehydes enables further coupling (e.g., with hydrazides or amines) to form chemically crosslinked gels.
  • Citric acid or other polyacids can esterify hydroxyls at elevated temperatures, generating thermoset networks.
• Composite systems:
  • Blends with alginate, agarose, gelatin, or chitosan tailor mechanical strength and biofunctionality for cell-free scaffold studies and 3D printing inks (research-only).
• Processing tips:
  • Control molecular weight via mild acid/base treatment to adjust printability and solution viscosity.
  • Remove air by vacuum or rest-degassing before casting; maintain aseptic technique if solutions will be stored to limit microbial growth.

Note: No medical or clinical use is implied; all applications are for laboratory research and materials development.

Reaction Conditions

General, literature-based conditions for common chemical modifications of konjac glucomannan (for research guidance only; not item-specific):

• Periodate oxidation (to dialdehyde KGM):

  • Solvent: Water, pH ~3–5 (acetate buffer optional).
  • Reagents: Sodium periodate (0.1–1.0 mol eq. per anhydro sugar unit depending on desired oxidation level).
  • Temperature/time: 4–25 °C, protected from light, 2–24 h.
  • Workup: Quench residual periodate with ethylene glycol; dialyze against water.

• Epichlorohydrin crosslinking:

  • Solvent: Aqueous alkaline medium (e.g., NaOH, pH 10–12).
  • Reagents: Epichlorohydrin 0.1–1.0 w/w relative to polymer.
  • Temperature/time: 25–60 °C, 2–12 h with stirring.
  • Notes: Control extent to balance gel strength vs brittleness; thoroughly wash to remove residual epichlorohydrin.

• Citric acid esterification (thermal):

  • Reagents: Citric acid (5–30 wt% vs polymer) with plasticizer (e.g., glycerol) if film formation is desired.
  • Conditions: 120–160 °C, 10–60 min under reduced moisture.
  • Outcome: Insoluble, crosslinked films/gels; degree of crosslinking increases with temperature/time.

• Borate complexation (physical gel):

  • Medium: Aqueous KGM (0.5–2% w/v) with borax (e.g., 0.5–5% w/w vs polymer).
  • pH: Mildly alkaline (≈8–10) favors diol–borate complexation.
  • Reversibility: Gelation is reversible with pH/ionic changes.

These parameters are starting points; optimize for your polymer’s Mw/DA and desired material properties.

Safety and Handling

Item-specific hazard/GHS information: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.

General laboratory safety guidance (literature/practice for polysaccharide powders; non-binding):

• Likely hazards: Low acute toxicity expected; dust may cause mechanical eye/respiratory irritation. Avoid dust formation and inhalation.
• PPE: Use safety glasses, lab coat, and appropriate gloves. Employ dust control measures (local exhaust) during weighing/dispensing.
• Handling: Add slowly to water under agitation to avoid dusting and lump formation. Avoid contamination of containers to minimize microbial growth in stored solutions.
• Incompatibilities: Strong oxidizers will degrade polysaccharide chains; strong acids/bases and elevated temperature accelerate hydrolysis/deacetylation. Borate can form reversible complexes with cis-diols, altering rheology.
• Thermal hazards: No defined melting point; charring/decomposition on strong heating; avoid open flames with airborne dust.
• First aid (overview; consult SDS):
  • Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek attention if irritation persists.
  • Eye contact: Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
  • Skin contact: Wash with soap and water.
  • Ingestion: Rinse mouth; seek advice if large amounts involved.
• Waste: Aqueous solutions are biodegradable; dispose in accordance with institutional and local regulations.

Always consult the product’s SDS for authoritative hazard classification, exposure controls, and emergency procedures.

Solvent Selection

Konjac glucomannan is a highly hydrophilic polysaccharide; solvent considerations center on hydration, dispersion, and gelation rather than classical solvent polarity.

• Primary medium: Water is the solvent of choice. Hydration is enhanced at elevated temperatures (≈50–80 °C). Ionic strength and pH modulate viscosity and gelation.
• Miscibility profile (literature): Insoluble in most organic solvents; ethanol or isopropanol can be used as pre-wetting agents to reduce lumping before aqueous addition. Strongly dehydrating solvents precipitate KGM from aqueous media.
• pH effects: Neutral to mildly alkaline conditions promote swelling; strong acid/base accelerates hydrolysis/deacetylation, reducing molecular weight and viscosity.
• Additives: Borate (borax) forms complexes with cis-diols, increasing viscosity/gelation; salts can screen charges and alter hydration; sugars/polyols can modulate water activity and rheology.
• When to choose KGM vs alternatives:
  • Versus guar gum/locust bean gum: KGM often achieves higher viscosity at lower loadings and forms thermally reversible gels with alkali/heat; galactomannans may synergize with KGM for stronger gels.
  • Versus alginate: Alginate requires divalent cations for gelation; KGM gels can be formed by deacetylation/alkali-heat or via crosslinkers, offering different trigger mechanisms.
  • Versus cellulose derivatives (CMC, HEC): KGM offers high zero-shear viscosity and unique acetylation-dependent hydration; cellulose ethers provide broader pH stability.

Practical tip: Sprinkle slowly into vigorously stirred hot water or use high-shear mixing; nitrogen sparging can help minimize entrained air in viscous solutions.

Storage and Reconstitution

Item-specific storage and shipping:

• Storage Conditions: Room temperature, Desiccated (from Product Data).
• Shipped In: Normal (from Product Data).

General guidance:

• Solid stability: Keep tightly sealed in a desiccator to minimize moisture uptake and prevent caking; store away from strong oxidizers and bases.
• Shelf life: Carbohydrate polymers are chemically stable when dry; always refer to the product label/CoA for retest dates.
• Handling after opening: Minimize headspace humidity exposure; use clean, dry tools to avoid microbial contamination.

Reconstitution and solution storage (literature/practice):

• Dissolution: Add slowly to hot, vigorously stirred water to avoid lumping (see Application Protocols). Allow full hydration before use.
• Solution stability: Aqueous solutions are prone to microbial growth and gradual depolymerization under harsh pH/temperature. For short-term storage, refrigerate (2–8 °C). For longer storage, prepare fresh as needed or include an appropriate preservative for research purposes.
• Freeze–thaw: Freezing can alter gel/solution microstructure; if freezing is required, expect possible phase separation on thaw.

Note: For definitive storage limits and any specific performance specifications (moisture, viscosity), consult the CoA/Spec Sheet. For safety-related handling, defer to the SDS.

Structure and Identity

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a high–molecular-weight, water-swellable plant polysaccharide extracted from the tubers of Amorphophallus konjac.

• Item-specific identifiers (from Product Data):

  • CAS: 37220-17-0
  • Molecular Formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • Molecular Weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • SMILES: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
  • InChIKey: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.

• Structural features (literature):

  • Composition: A neutral heteropolysaccharide composed predominantly of β-(1→4)-linked D-mannose and D-glucose residues with a small degree of O-acetyl substitution.
  • Typical monosaccharide ratio: Mannose:Glucose ~1.6:1 (literature, varies with source and processing).
  • Connectivity: Linear β-1,4-linked backbone with occasional acetyl groups on C-6 (and/or C-2/C-3) hydroxyls; branching is minimal.
  • Stereochemistry: Monosaccharide units in the D-series; β-anomeric configuration at glycosidic linkages.
  • 2D description (in words): Repeating –[β-D-Manp-(1→4)-β-D-Glcp]–n linear chain, where hydroxyls decorate C-2, C-3, C-6, and acetyl groups intermittently substitute hydroxyls; reducing and non-reducing termini cap chains.

Note: Being a polydisperse natural polymer, a single SMILES/InChIKey is generally not applicable; characterization typically relies on monosaccharide composition, degree of acetylation (DA), intrinsic viscosity, and average molecular weight distributions.

Synthetic Utility

Konjac glucomannan provides a hydroxyl-rich, modifiable backbone for polymer-chemistry transformations and materials synthesis.

Transformations (literature):

• Oxidation: Periodate cleavage of vicinal diols to dialdehydes (KGM-CHO), enabling subsequent Schiff base formation with amines or hydrazide coupling, producing crosslinked networks or conjugates.
• Etherification/Esterification: Reaction with epoxides (e.g., glycidyl derivatives) or acid anhydrides to introduce functional groups (carboxymethyl, hydroxypropyl), tuning solubility and charge.
• Crosslinking: Epichlorohydrin (alkaline) yields stable ether crosslinks; citric acid or polycarboxylic acids form ester crosslinks upon heating; borate affords reversible diol–borate complexes.
• Grafting: Free-radical graft polymerization (e.g., with acrylamide or acrylic acid) produces interpenetrating networks with tailored swelling.

Utility in synthesis and processing:

• As a green scaffold: Aqueous, room-temperature processing enables incorporation of nanoparticles, dyes, or catalysts into hydrogel matrices.
• Templating: Viscous KGM solutions stabilize emulsions/foams, serving as soft templates for porous materials after crosslinking and drying.
• Conjugation handles: Abundant primary/secondary hydroxyls support ligand attachment for affinity separations or sensor substrates.

Note: Reaction conditions should be optimized to preserve chain integrity; excessive acid/base or high temperature will reduce molecular weight and alter rheology.

Target Specificity

Not applicable. This product is a polysaccharide material and does not have antigen/epitope specificity, clone information, or species reactivity. For biochemical selectivity or binding interactions, refer to the Synthetic Utility and Reaction & Applications sections discussing complexation and crosslinking behavior.

Preguntas frecuentes

How should this product be stored?

Store at room temperature, desiccated. Keep the container tightly closed with desiccant — the material is moisture-sensitive.

How is this product shipped?

This product ships under standard ambient conditions. No temperature-controlled packaging is required.

What are the CAS number, molecular formula and molecular weight?

The CAS Number is 37220-17-0.

What documentation is provided?

Available product documentation, including Certificates of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), and specification sheets, is shown in the product document area. Document availability and access follow the current site policy.