Question: – Gels are mostly made up of what type of polymers?
a. Polyethylene b. Polypropylene c. Polyurethane d. Polysaccharides
Answer: d. Polysaccharides
Gel, as a matter of fact, is a sponge-like material generally made of polysaccharides; therefore, it contains long monosaccharide chains that are joined by either alpha or beta glycosidic bonds. Polysaccharides are widely found in nature and are one of the elements of biology without which natural systems cannot exist.
Some examples of polysaccharides commonly used in the formation of gels include:
Agar: A polysaccharide is derived from the red algae cells, which has been a popular microbial medium, as well as a food thickener.
Gelatin: A bio-based polymer that is a protein in nature and is applied in the food industry as well as the production of other products, such as jelly sweets and photographic films.
Pectin: A polysaccharide present in the structure of plant cell walls, which is a popular gelling agent in the manufacturing, particularly in jams, jellies, and the other similar products.
Carrageenan: A polysaccharide derived from red algae, mainly used by industries as a gum and jelly ingredient.
Unlike other starch-based biomaterials, whose linear structure and identical subunits, prepare them to create only two-dimensional structures, the unique molecular structures and properties of these complex sugars enable them to bind together in different ways, providing them the ability to form three-dimensional networks, resulting in the characteristic gel-like consistency observed in various products and applications.
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