Biochemical Properties and Multifunctional Applications of Galactomannan Derived From Trigonella Foenum-Graecum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22270/ajprd.v13i6.1674Abstract
Galactomannan is an important biological and functional ingredient of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds. It is the primary storage polysaccharide in the endosperm, providing a significant source of energy for germination and early seedling development. Fenugreek galactomannan, which is structurally made of a mannose backbone with galactose side chains, is distinguished by its comparatively high galactose-to-mannose ratio, which boosts its solubility in water and aids the production of a smooth, viscous mucilage when the seeds are hydrated. This mucilage helps the seed retain moisture, protects it from dehydration, and acts as a physical barrier to mechanical harm, making it critical for seed survival in natural environments. Galactomannan is appreciated in human nutrition as a soluble dietary fiber with a variety of health benefits. Its capacity to increase intestinal viscosity slows carbohydrate digestion and absorption, hence regulating postprandial blood glucose levels. By delaying stomach emptying, it enhances fullness, which may aid in appetite control and weight management. Furthermore, galactomannan can bind bile acids and limit cholesterol absorption, resulting in better lipid profiles. Because of its physiological benefits, fenugreek galactomannan is a popular ingredient in nutraceutical formulations that promote metabolic and cardiovascular health. Because of its good rheological qualities, fenugreek galactomannan is used in the industrial sector as a natural thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier. Its high solubility and ability to form uniform gels make it helpful in foods, beverages, and pharmaceutical preparations, including controlled-release drug delivery systems. Overall, galactomannan is essential to both the biological activity of fenugreek seeds and the variety of nutritional and industrial applications associated with them.
Downloads
References
"Trigonella foenum-graecum". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
Debaggio, Thomas; Tucker, Arthur O. (2009). The Encyclopedia of Herbs. Timber Press. ISBN 978-1-60469-134-4. Archived from the original on 2 July 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
Ouzir, M; El Bairi, K; Amzazi, S (2016). "Toxicological properties of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum)". Food and Chemical Toxicology. 96: 145–54. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2016.08.003. PMID 27498339.
"Fenugreek". Drugs.com. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
"Fenugreek". National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, US National Library of Medicine. 1 August 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
Zohary, Daniel; Hopf, Maria; Weiss, Ehud (2012). Domestication of Plants in the Old World: The Origin and Spread of Domesticated Plants in Southwest Asia, Europe, and the Mediterranean Basin (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 122.
Cato the Elder. De Agri Cultura. p. 27.
Curry A (February 2010). "A 9,000-Year Love Affair". National Geographic. 231 (2): 46.
Josephus, De Bello Judaico, book 3, chapter 7, vs. 29. The prepared relish made from ground fenugreek seeds is very slimy and slippery, and was therefore poured over ladders as a stratagem to prevent the enemy's ascent.
Commentators Maimonides and Ovadiah di Bertinoro on Mishnah Kil'ayim 2:5; Terumot 10:5; Orlah 3:6; ibid. 10:6; Ma'aserot 1:3, ibid. 4:6; Ma'aser Sheni 2:2–3; Niddah 2:6.
"Online Etymology Dictionary". www.etymonline.com. Archived from the original on 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2017-02-07.
"Diabetes Blue Circle Symbol". International Diabetes Federation. 17 March 2006. Archived from the original on 5 August 2007.
"Diabetes". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
Kitabchi AE, Umpierrez GE, Miles JM, Fisher JN (July 2009). "Hyperglycemic crises in adult patients with diabetes". Diabetes Care. 32 (7): 1335–1343. doi:10.2337/dc09-9032. PMC 2699725. PMID 19564476. Archived from the original on 2016-06-25.
Krishnasamy S, Abell TL (July 2018). "Diabetic Gastroparesis: Principles and Current Trends in Management". Diabetes Therapy. 9 (Suppl 1): 1–42. doi:10.1007/s13300-018-0454-9. PMC 6028327. PMID 29934758.
Saedi E, Gheini MR, Faiz F, Arami MA (September 2016). "Diabetes mellitus and cognitive impairments". World Journal of Diabetes. 7 (17): 412–422. doi:10.4239/wjd.v7.i17.412. PMC 5027005. PMID 27660698.
"Causes of Diabetes – NIDDK". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. June 2014. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
Ripsin CM, Kang H, Urban RJ (January 2009). "Management of blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus" (PDF). American Family Physician. 79 (1): 29–36. PMID 19145963. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2013-05-05.
Brutsaert EF (February 2017). "Drug Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus". MSDManuals.com. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
"IDF DIABETES ATLAS Ninth Edition 2019" (PDF). www.diabetesatlas.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
"Diabetes". World Health Organization. Archived from the original on 29 January 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
"Diabetes Mellitus (DM) – Hormonal and Metabolic Disorders". MSD Manual Consumer Version. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 1 October 2022.
Shoback DG, Gardner D, eds. (2011). "Chapter 17". Greenspan's basic & clinical endocrinology (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Medical. ISBN 978-0-07-162243-1.
"Symptoms and Causes of Diabetes". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, US National Institutes of Health. 2024. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
"Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes | UVA Health". uvahealth.com. Retrieved 2025-01-27.
American Diabetes Association (2020-12-04). "2. Classification and Diagnosis of Diabetes: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2021". Diabetes Care. 44 (Supplement_1): S15 – S33
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 V.Ragul, A.Priyadharshini, S.Manoranjit, A.Jagadeesa, S. Raman, S.Chandru

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
AUTHORS WHO PUBLISH WITH THIS JOURNAL AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING TERMS:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 Unported License. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
.