Mechanical Stability Mechanism of Konjac Glucomannan Grain State Based on Molecular Stiffness and Flexibility

Abstract

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) is a water-soluble natural plant polysaccharide from Konjac tubers, a special resource in China. It has good water absorption and thickening properties. Due to the complex structure, large molecular weight, and strong hydrophilicity of the characteristic acetyl group, KGM-based materials have poor moisture barrier properties and poor mechanical properties, further limiting their applications. In the early stage, it was found that the rigidity and flexibility of Konjac glucomannan particle molecular chain may affect the mechanical stability of its grain state. This strange molecular rigidity and flexibility may be due to the dynamic change of molecular chain to form stable KGM particles. It is speculated that the change of molecular rigid and flexible structure can improve the stability of molecular chain of KGM particles and obtain KGM particles with good mechanical properties. This paper will deeply analyze the research process of "KGM particle molecular rigidity and flexible structure → effect of molecular rigidity and flexible structure on KGM particle mechanical stability → molecular dynamics simulation interactive visual analysis → experimental verification and model evaluation → strengthening the mechanical properties of KGM based materials". The mechanical stability mechanism of Konjac glucomannan particle state structure formation and its molecular rigidity and flexible regulation behavior were revealed. The dynamic regulation was carried out by computer simulation to explore the relationship between them. The purpose is to reveal the mechanical stability mechanism of Konjac glucomannan particle state and lay a theoretical foundation for the bottleneck problem faced by Konjac refined powder in the processing process and its molecular stiffness and flexibility regulation.

Keywords

• konjac glucomannan
• mechanical stability
• structure
• mechanical force
• gel