Modification of Solubility and Rheological Properties of Gum Tragacanth by Gamma Irradiation

The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of different doses of gamma irradiation (4, 8, 16, and 30 kGy) on solubility, water absorption capacity (WAC) and rheological properties (viscosity and flow behavior) of gum tragacanth. Based on our findings, at high doses of gamma irradiation treatments, the solubility improved while the WAC decreased. On the other hand, the apparent viscosity of gum dispersion decreased with increasing in total absorbed dose, likely due to the reduction of side branches and radiolysis of the glycosidic bonds. The flow behavior of gum dispersions also shifted from non-Newtonian to Newtonian one with increasing the dose