Rheology of Recent Vegetal-Based Biopolymers

In this chapter, the rheology of polysaccharides extracted from cactus and agave plants is summarized. These vegetal sources of polysaccharides (Opuntia mucilage, Opuntia pectin, and agave fructans) were selected for their functional properties (thickening, gelling, or emulsifying) and their bioactive role in the the prevention and/or treatment of disease. The source, production, extraction processes, structure, and functional properties (related to conformation) of these polysaccharides are briefly described before the rheology of these biopolymers is discussed, and recommended uses are suggested.

Keywords: Agave plant, Carreau model, Characteristic time, Cross model, Fructans, Intrinsic viscosity, Loss modulus, Mucilage, Neolevans, Newtonian, Nopal, Opuntia, Pectin, Rheology, Shear rate, Shear-thinning, Storage modulus, Viscoelasticity, Viscosity, Zero shear viscosity.