Extraction and Characterization of Galactomannan from Nipa Palm Fruit (Nypa fruticans W.)

The main objective of this research was to characterize the galactomannan from Nipa palm fruit. The galactomannan, a water-soluble heteropolysaccharide was extracted from nipa palm fruit with the different condition. Different condition referred to used nipa palm fruit without drying as fresh nipa palm fruit (GalFN) and nipa palm which is done by drying as dry nipa palm fruit (GalDN). Extraction method used is aqueous extraction followed by precipitation with ethanol. Polysaccharide was studied in detail for its chemical and functional characterization. The result suggests that the different condition of nipa palm fruit (GalFN and GalDN) does not have a significant impact (p>0.05) on the extraction yield, solubility (25^oC and 80^oC) and oil-holding capacity (OHC), yet it has a significant effect (p<0.05) on the whiteness degree and water-holding capacity (WHC). The physicochemical properties of GalFN and GalDN obtained respectively are as follows: extraction yield (6.34% and 6.13%), whiteness degree (78.20 and 70.10), solubility (34.93% and 35.73%) at 25^oC (71.13% and 72.73%) at 80^oC, WHC (295.03 and 316.97 g water/100 g gum), OHC (81.70 and 86.20 g oil/100 g gum). It was concluded that between GalFN and GalDN there were significantly differences in whiteness degree, water holding capacity, viscosity on Concentration of Nypa gum 1% and 2%.