Latest Innovations in Natural Gum-based Polymer
Date
2024-03
Authors
Mandal, Sujata
Hwang, San
Sen, Keya
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Abstract
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are polymers that exhibit effective moisture retention and absorbency and hence find applications in baby diapering, packaging, feminine hygiene, and adult incontinence products. Absorbent hygiene products (AHPs) have made an important contribution to the quality of life and skin health of millions of people. Commercial hygiene products are petrochemical-originated, exhibit toxicity, high market price, and pose environmental and public health concerns. They are non-biodegradable and have an estimated period of ~500 years to decompose and are the third largest contributor to municipal solid waste in the USA. Moreover, AHPs are composed of harmful chemicals –dioxins, which can cause an array of health problems including developmental delays, damaged immunity, hormone interference, skin diseases, and certain types of cancer. Biobased superabsorbent hydrogels prepared from natural gum provide greener alternative materials to fossil-based materials and have prospective uses in food, water, energy, environment, biomedical, and hygiene products. Elderly/baby skin is more fragile and vulnerable to injury and has poorer healing properties.
In our study, we report the development of Super absorbent Polymer (SAPs) using Guar gum (GG). Guar is considered a safe, environmentally friendly, inexpensive, and abundant polymer extracted from the seeds of the Guar plant.
Description
Keywords
guar gum, polymer
Citation
Mandal, S., Hwang, S., & Sen, K. (2024). Latest innovations in natural gum-based polymer. Poster presented at the Health Scholar Showcase, Translational Health Research Center, San Marcos, Texas.