Phosphate crosslinking of gum Arabic with sodium trimetaphosphate as a sustainable biopolymer

Chinedu Oti; Ruth A. Lafia-Araga; M. A. T. Suleiman; James B. Olawuyi; Abel Inobeme; Iliya Tanko

doi:10.46481/jnsps.2027.3770

Authors

Chinedu Oti nedu.otis@gmail.com Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Ruth A. Lafia-Araga Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
M. A. T. Suleiman Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
James B. Olawuyi Department of Building, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria
Abel Inobeme Department of Chemistry, Edo State University, Iyamho, Nigeria
Iliya Tanko Department of Building, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria

Keywords:

Sodium trimetaphosphate, Gum Arabic, Chemical modification, Crosslinking, Thermal stability

Abstract

Gum Arabic (GA), a natural biopolymer, is highly hydrophilic and mechanically unstable, limiting some applications. This study investigates modification of GA using sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) and changes in its physicochemical and thermal properties. A custom factorial design assessed STMP concentration (2 %, 5 %, and 8 %), pH (10, 11.5, and 13), and temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C), with viscosity and water absorption as responses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) yielded an R² of 0.7519 for the viscosity model and 0.5006 for water absorption. Conditions selected for viscosity were 8 % STMP, pH 13, and 40 °C, producing 4.56 cP (predicted: 4.601 cP) against a maximum of 6.25 cP. Conditions selected for water absorption were 2 % STMP, pH 11.5, and 40 °C, producing 17.85 % (predicted: 12.47 %) against a maximum of 32.57 %. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated phosphorylation and hydroxyl substitution through P--O--C and P=O stretching vibrations at 976 and 1256 cm⁻¹, respectively. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed improved thermal stability in the viscosity-optimised sample, with a peak degradation temperature of 382 °C, degradation weight loss of 72.89 %, and residual mass of 23.47 %. This sample showed the most pronounced chemical modification and greatest thermal stability. STMP-crosslinked GA may serve as a sustainable, locally available biopolymer for concrete admixtures, drug-delivery encapsulation, and beverage stabilisers.

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