Functional and Swelling Properties of Galactomannan Hydrogel Extracted From Neem (Azadiracta Indicia) Stem Bark Obtained From Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria

Abstract

Neem stem bark is a galactomannan material having hydrogel properties because of its three- dimensional network leading to swelling propensity, viscosity, and binding properties which can be used for dual purpose of binder and enhancing medicinal properties of same cure. Hence, the objective of this work was to investigate the Functional and Swelling Properties of Galactomannan Hydrogel extracted from Neem (Azadiracta indicia) Stem Bark obtained from Biu Local Government Area, Borno State, Nigeria. The physicochemical, functional properties of the neem stem bark were analyzed to ascertain the active ingredient, the swelling properties were observed at distilled water, pH2.2 and 7.4 corresponding to the pH for large and gastrointestinal respectively. The functional and proximate analysis differs with geographical location taking account on the mineral composition of the soil. Hydrogel of 500 mm has the height swelling at (0 – 9 hours) of all the conditions showing absorption in the order of 6.5g, 3.9g, 5.2g and 2.6g relating the swelling percentage as NSB4<NSB3<NSB2<NSB1 at significant difference p<0.05 values all at the hour of 1-9 hours. This proves that the neem is also suitable as a binder