Locust bean gum based composites: Modifications, synergism and emerging applications

The locust bean gum (LBG) is a galactomannan polymeric compound extracted from the seeds of Ceratonia siliqua, which has recently gained substantial interest due to its distinctive structure and physical properties. The mannose-galactose chains present in the LBG molecules provides favourable sites for modifications and interactions with proteins, polysaccharides and nanoparticles. In addition, chemical modifications such as carboxymethylation, etherification, and esterification can be used effectively to increase solubility, reactivity, mechanical strength and stimuli response capabilities. Synergistic interplay of LBG with hydrocolloids, biopolymers and nanomaterials results in targeted viscoelasticity, swelling behaviour and network formation. Such composites exhibit superior functionality in a wide range of industries from food packaging to pharmaceutical drug carriers, antibacterial hydrogels, tissue engineering scaffolds and pollution control devices. Further addition of inorganic/bioactive nanoparticles offers additional benefits in regulating mechanical durability, thermal resilience and sustained release features. In summary, the LBG-based hybrid materials provide a green and versatile matrix that bridges classical hydrocolloid research with state-of-the-art functional materials. This review aims to provide comprehensive insights into the chemistry, modification methods, interaction modes and potential applications of locust bean gum-composite materials. The present paper ends with a discussion of ongoing obstacles and future trends, where smart nano enhanced LBG systems are viewed as the emerging materials of the future for biomedical, technological, and environmental applications.