Plant Polysaccharides

Question 1

plant polysaccharides are naturally occuring sugars based on polymers that are used in this way (5)

Answer 1

• suspending agents
• bulk laxatives
• thickeners
• adhesives
• hypocholesteremic agents

Question 2

the monomers of these plant polysaccharides include (3)

Answer 2

• starch
• cellulose
• seaweed gums

Question 3

sources from roots, seeds or stems of wheat, rice, maize, potato or arrowroot

Answer 3

starch

Question 4

the structure of starch contains two polysaccharides, namely

Answer 4

an amylose molecule and amylopectin

Question 5

amylose is a linear or branched chain polymer and is more or less viscous and more or less water soluble than amylopectin

Answer 5

amylose is a linear polymer and is less viscous and more water soluble than amylopectin

Question 6

amylopectin forms a ______solution in water

Answer 6

thick adhesive colloidal

Question 7

starch is used as

Answer 7

a disintegrant because of its swelling properties and a dusting powder (lubricant sterile gloves)

Question 8

cellulose is a branched or linear chain glucose polymer

Answer 8

cellulose is a linear chain glucose polymer

Question 9

cellulose is sourced from

Answer 9

wood or wood products using strong alkali

Question 10

two forms of cellulose dispersable and non-dispersable are used in this manner

Answer 10

• dispersable
  
  • suspending agent
• non-dispersable
  
  • binder, filler, disintegrant, lubricant

Question 11

common forms of cellulose used in pharma are

Answer 11

methylcellulose

hydroxymethylcellulose

Question 12

water soluble gums form

Answer 12

viscous solutions, gelatinous pastes or jelly

Question 13

linear polysaccharides are more or less soluble, have higher or lower viscosity and are more or less stable than branched polysaccarhides

Answer 13

linear polysaccharides are less soluble, have higher viscosity and are less stable than branched polysaccarhides

Question 14

branched polysaccharides form

Answer 14

gels and rehydrate quickly

Question 15

plant polysaccharides include (3)

Answer 15

• plant exudates
• plant seed extractives
• plant extracts

Question 16

plant exudates include (3)

Answer 16

• gum acacia
  
  • excipient
• gum tragacanth
  
  • mucilage
• gum sterculia
  
  • bulk laxative due to swelling

Question 17

plant seed extractives include (4)

Answer 17

• guar gums
• locust bean gums
• pectins
• psyllium

Question 18

these plant extractives: guar gums, locust bean gums, and pectins are used as

Answer 18

thickeners

Question 19

psyllium is used as a mucilage as it swells in water and is used as a

Answer 19

bulk laxative

Question 20

seaweed plant polysaccharides are sourced from

Answer 20

red or brown algae

Question 21

alginates are linear polysaccharides from brown seaweed and are used in (3)

Answer 21

• surgical dressings (alginic acid
• stabilizers, gelling or emulsification agents
• forming a protective barrier in the GIT preventing absorption of radioactive strontium and reflux (gaviscon)

Question 22

agar is sourced from______and is used as ___3 uses_

Answer 22

• red algae
• gelling agent (plates and gels), emulsifying agent, laxative (agarol)

Question 23

carageenans are isolated from ________and are used as________

Answer 23

• red algae (irish moss)
• food stablilziers (thickeners)

Question 24

microbial polysaccharides include (3)

Answer 24

• dextrans from sucrose by enzymatic action
  
  • glucans - reduce blood viscosity
• xantham gum
  
  • pseudoplastic properties
  • toothpaste and ointment
• immunomodulatory polysaccharides
  
  • schizophyllan and lentinan fungal polysach

Question 25

quality control of polysaccharides includes the following 6 tests/evaluations

Answer 25

1. macroscopic evaluation
2. microscopy
3. ID (ppte with lead salts)
4. TLC of sugars produced upon acid hydrolysis
5. purity (absence of other related produtcs
6. microbial contamination