Abstract:

The article presents a method of extracting galactoglucomannas (GGMs) from softwood (spruce). GGMs were extracted using thermal and enzymatic treatment in an aqueous environment. The GGMs extracted, depending on the extraction method, were characterized by different compositions of simple carbohydrates i. e. glucose, galactose and mannose, as well as by the average molecular weight. Evaluation of the composition of GGMs obtained was performed using GC/MS and SEC. The biopolymer composites obtained by combining GGMs with microcrystalline chitosan (MCCh), showed suitability for constructing dressing materials in the form of sponges. The studies were performed in order to evaluate antibacterial properities of composite realtive to Escherichia coli standard Gram (-) and their susceptibility to enzymatic and hydrolytic degradation. The research confirmed the usefulness of MCCh/GGMs composities for constructing dressing materials.