Abstract:
Xanthan Gum (XG), known as a microbial polysaccharide, is potential renewable resources in the biodegradable plastics
synthesis. However, native xanthan gum needs to be chemically modified in order to improve its properties required for further
application as thermoplastics material. We here report our preliminary studies on the acetylation of xanthan gum in densified
carbon dioxide (CO2) as the ‘green’ solvent. Within the experimental conditions, xanthan acetates with a broad range of degree
of substitution (DS) values (1.27 – 7.08) were obtained. In addition, the products give a higher thermal stability and an altered
morphology compared with their native counterparts.
