Biopolymer composites based on galactoglucomannans (ggms) and micrystaline chitosan (mcch)

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 extracted GGMs, depending on the extraction method, were characterized by different composition 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. Biopolymer composites were obtained by combining GGMs and microcrystalline chitosan (MCCh), which can be used as preparations for plant protection and growth stimulation. The studies were performed in order to evaluate biological activity of composites based on Petri dish test in which their ability to stimulate seed germination of selected plants was estimated. The effect of plant growth stimulation depended on GGMs composition of simple carbohydrates. GC/MS and SEC chromatographic tests and 13C NMR analysis enabled to establish the composition and structural changes of the obtained GGMs and biocomposites