Study of Polyelectrolyte Nature of Lepidium Sativum Hydrocolloid Extract

The seeds of Lepidium Sativum (Garden Cress) were selected as a new source of hydrocolloid and some of its fundamental Physico-chemical properties such as intrinsic viscosity and functional group were determined. FTIR analysis showed that this polymer was composed of carbohydrate with functional carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. Intrinsic viscosity was determined to be 1.33 ml/mg in water. The hydrodynamic behavior of hydrocolloid extract demonstrated a typical polyelectrolyte behavior, with affinity to salt as intrinsic viscosity decreased with increasing NaCl concentration.