Review of Konjac Glucomannan Structure, Properties, Gelation Mechanism, and Application in Medical Biology

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a naturally occurring macromolecular polysaccharide that exhibits remarkable film–forming and gel–forming properties, and a high degree of biocompatibility and biodegradability. The helical structure of KGM is maintained by the acetyl group, which plays a crucial role in...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yilan Sun, Xiaowei Xu, Qinhua Zhang, Di Zhang, Xiaoyu Xie, Hanlin Zhou, Zhenzhen Wu, Renyi Liu, Jie Pang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-04-01
Series:Polymers
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/8/1852
Description
Summary:Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a naturally occurring macromolecular polysaccharide that exhibits remarkable film–forming and gel–forming properties, and a high degree of biocompatibility and biodegradability. The helical structure of KGM is maintained by the acetyl group, which plays a crucial role in preserving its structural integrity. Various degradation methods, including the topological structure, can enhance the stability of KGM and improve its biological activity. Recent research has focused on modifying KGM to enhance its properties, utilizing multi–scale simulation, mechanical experiments, and biosensor research. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the structure and properties of KGM, recent advancements in non–alkali thermally irreversible gel research, and its applications in biomedical materials and related areas of research. Additionally, this review outlines prospects for future KGM research, providing valuable research ideas for follow–up experiments.
ISSN:2073-4360