KONJAC GLUCOMANNAN, A PROMISING POLYSACCHARIDE FOR COLON RELEASE: A REVIEW
Madhu Gudipati* and Ramarao Nadendla
ABSTRACT
Konjac glucomannan (KGM), a naturally occurring polysaccharide, has in recent years gained chain of β-D-glucose and β-D mannaose with attached acetyl groups in a molar ratio of 1.6:1 with β-1,4 linkages. It is commercially extracted from Kojac (Amorphophallus konjac or Amorphophallus rivieri) which is native to Asia. The KGM, by itself or by its gelling properties, was employed in pharmaceutical industry, health promotion and treatment. It has been used potentially as a increasingly in importance. The benefits of natural KGM are also more and more appreciated by scientists and consumer due to its biodegradability. KGM consists of a polysaccharide carrier for drug delivery to the colon, such as matrix tablets, gel beads, film-coated dose form. This review will discuss the important chemistry and general properties of glucomannan, and its gel formation mechanism and properties. The example of the pharmaceutical uses of KGM will be given.
Keywords: Konjac glucomannan, polysaccharide, controlled release, colon.
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