Locust bean gum-derived hydrogels

Locust (Carob) bean gum (LBG) is a natural nonstarch galactomannan, nonionic branched heterogeneous seed gum utilized in various fields due to its flexible integral properties. Over the years, use of LBG and its hydrogel-derived formulations has gained popularity in food, pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetic, and other fields. Due to its flexible physicochemical properties, its viscoelastic, swellability, and release-retarding abilities have been improved by grafting or synergy with other compatible polymers without altering its biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic, or nonmutagenic characteristics. LBG has been used as a carrier in various drug delivery systems. Current trends in innovative techniques have evolved novel versions of LBG through various chemical modifications processes. LBG, in combination with other polymers and grafted forms, have been extensively used in fabrication of hydrogel-derived formulations with specific functions. Hydrogel derived from LBG responds to various stimuli that are required in the delivery of various therapeutic actives based on requirement of applications. This chapter is compiled on LBG and its derived hydrogels using reported scientific literature in depth to focus on LBG-derived hydrogel formulations and evaluations following its sources, properties, extraction, and processing of LBG powder and versatile applications in various fields to extend its utility in the future.