Gums, resins and latexes are a most widely used and traded category of non-wood forest products. The uses of gums embrace food, pharmaceutical and miscellaneous technical applications. Resins have an equally diverse range of applications including their use in paints, varnishes and lacquers, and flavours and fragrances. Latexes are used in specialised applications such as insulating materials and in the manufacture of golf balls and chewing gum. There has been a decline in their use due to competition from synthetic products. This document contains a review of the production, markets and developmental potential of a number of gums, resins and latexes.

This reference book provides a comprehensive overview of natural gums, resins, and latexes of plants with a focus on their chemistry, biological activities, and practical uses. The content is divided into five main sections each of which contains chapters contributed from valuable experts in their field. Naturally occuring plant products have quite diverse applications in many different industries. The book aims to highlight the important aspects of plant-based gums, resins and latexes as well as provide a strategic framework for further research and development activities on these bioproducts. It will appeal to a broad audience such as biologists, pharmacologists, pharmacists, food technologists and medical practitioners. It is also a useful resource for research investigators of the healthcare industry, academia and students of biomedical sciences.

This publication is intended to serve researchers and teachers as well as development practitioners. It was prepared based on requests from CIFOR’s national partners in Ethiopia and the region to compile existing information and help address the lack of documents available for teaching graduate and undergraduate students about the management of forests in dryland areas in general, and the production and marketing of gums and resins in particular.

Ionotropic Cross-Linking of Biopolymers: Applications in Drug Delivery provides in-depth insights and presents the latest advances in ionotropic cross-linked biopolymeric systems for drug delivery and related applications. Sections introduce the fundamentals of ionotropic cross-linking of biopolymers, including mechanisms, chemistry, cross-linking methods and gelation. Additional content delves into ionotropically cross-linked biopolymers based on a range of sources, including alginate, pectinate, carboxymethyl cellulose, gellan gum, chitosan, carboxymethylated gums, plant polysaccharide blends, and synthetic polymer blends. This is followed by a section focusing on ionotropically cross-linked biopolymeric systems, such as polymeric nanoparticles, microparticles, beads, and reinforced matrices. The last part of the book explores specific advanced drug delivery applications, before considering future opportunities and challenges in the field. This is a valuable resource for researchers and advanced students across polymer science, biomaterials, biomedicine, pharmaceutics, biotechnology, and chemistry, as well as scientists and R&D personnel working in pharmacy, drug delivery, and materials for biomedicine. Explains chemistry, mechanisms, preparation methods and applications of biopolymeric systems Covers a range of biopolymer sources, including alginate, pectinate, gellan gum, chitosan, and others Guides the reader to cutting-edge applications in drug delivery, drug release, cell delivery and tissue engineering

This book provides the whole spectrum of polysaccharides from basic concepts to commercial market applications. Chapters cover various types of sources, classification, properties, characterization, processing, rheology and fabrication of polysaccharide-based materials and their composites and gels. The applications of polysaccharides include in cosmetics, food science, drug delivery, biomedicine, biofuel production, marine, packaging, chromatography and environmental remediation. It also reviews the fabrication of inorganic and carbon nanomaterials from polysaccharides. The book incorporates industrial applications and will fill the gap between the exploration works in the laboratory and viable applications in related ventures.

Considered magicians of the ingredient world, gums (hydrocolloids) are used in a variety of food applications. They possess excellent thickening, binding, emulsifying, suspension, and viscosity properties. The first comprehensive reference produced on gums in 60 years, this work is organized by taxonomy. Each entry contains the botanical name and synonyms of the tree from which it is exuded, common names, geographic distribution, chemical characteristics and structural features, physical properties, and industrial and food applications. The uses of other parts of the trees from which the gums originate are also detailed. Entries are illustrated with color photos and line drawings.

The field of encapsulation, especially microencapsulation, is a rapidly growing area of research and product development. The Handbook of Encapsulation and Controlled Release covers the entire field, presenting the fundamental processes involved and exploring how to use those processes for different applications in industry. Written at a level comp