Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Formulation optimization of psyllium-based binding product by response surface methodology

Author(s):

Qian Guo ¹, Mike Riehm ¹, Cheryl Defelice ², Steve W. Cui ^2*

Recieved Date: 2010-01-19, Accepted Date: 2010-04-04

Abstract:

Psyllium traditionally is used as a laxative agent and a source of dietary fiber. Recently, in the landscape industry, a psyllium-based binding product was innovatively used to replace chemical binders for pavement in environmentally sensitive areas. The ingredients of the psyllium-based binding product were determined through preliminary experiments by investigating the gelling properties of psyllium husk. Two features of gelation, the elastic modulus G´ and critical strain S were investigated simultaneously by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with respect to three factors: psyllium gum concentration, calcium ion concentration, and pH. Psyllium concentration was found as the major factor affecting the elastic modulus G´ whereas both psyllium and calcium ion concentration affected the critical strain S. Contour plots and a constrained optimization approach were applied to obtain the optimum level of psyllium in the binding product. The optimum formulation was found as psyllium 1.22% (w/w) and Ca²⁺ 1.235 mol/L at pH 7.27. In industrial application, lime was used as calcium ion source and soda ash to adjust pH. The breaking force of a three-point bend test for the sand samples was investigated as an indicator for the binding property by RSM, which represents the application of this product in the field. The optimum formula for a psyllium-based binding product was obtained with 1.82% (w/w) psyllium, 1.05% (w/w) lime, and 0.55% (w/w) soda ash. The improved formula demonstrated great feasibility and could bring significant economic benefit for the industry. This study also demonstrated that response surface methodology is a useful tool for the optimization of the psyllium-based binding product.

Keywords:

Psyllium, response surface methodology, elastic modulus G´, critical strain S, breaks force F, natural binders

---

Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2010
Volume: 8
Issue: 2
Category: Environment
Pages: 882-889

---

Full text for Subscribers

---

Information:

Note to users

The requested document is freely available only to subscribers/registered users with an online subscription to the Journal of Food, Agriculture & Environment. If you have set up a personal subscription to this title please enter your user name and password. All abstracts are available for free.

Article purchasing

If you like to purchase this specific document such as article, review or this journal issue, contact us. Specify the title of the article or review, issue, number, volume and date of the publication. Software and compilation, Science & Technology, all rights reserved. Your use of this website details or service is governed by terms of use. Authors are invited to check from time to time news or information.

---

Purchase this Article:   20 Purchase PDF Order Reprints for 15

---

Share this article :