The Renaissance of Plant Mucilage in Health Promotion and Industrial Applications: A Review

Abstract

Plant mucilage is a renewable and cost-effective source of plant-based compounds that are biologically active, biodegradable, biocompatible, nontoxic, and environmentally friendly. Until recently, plant mucilage has been of interest mostly for technological purposes. This review examined both its traditional uses and potential modern applications in a new generation of health-promoting foods, as well as in cosmetics and biomaterials. We explored the nutritional, phytochemical, and pharmacological richness of plant mucilage, with a particular focus on its biological activity. We also highlighted areas where more research is needed in order to understand the full commercial potential of plant mucilage.

Preclinical Trial of Ocotea puberula (Rich.) Nees (“Canela-Guaicá”) in Wound Healing: Validation of a Traditional Medicine Practice Used by Indigenous Groups in Southern Brazil

“…Te aporphine alkaloids presented bands at 1,466 and 1,414 cm −1 due to the aromatic ring. Te FTIR data confrmed the results obtained in the phytochemical qualitative analysis and demonstrated the potential of CGBE for wound [24] and pain [12] treatment since mucilage and alkaloids have been reported as healing compounds [29] and angiogenic and antiinfammatory substances [30], respectively. However, these fndings lack in vivo biological evidence to validate the CGBE traditional use by indigenous Kaingang groups in southern Brazil.…”

“…Te presence of phytochemicals in O. puberula barks mainly represented by mucilage corroborates with the indigenous use of CGBE for wound healing. Te water retention capacity along with the moisturizing properties makes mucilages ideal for the production of dressings for wounds and skin burns [23,24]. In particular, mucilage from CGBE can also act on healing due to the fact that it is biocompatible and nontoxic since it is composed of carbohydrates.…”

Water Stress and Seed Color Interacting to Impact Seed and Oil Yield, Protein, Mucilage, and Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside Content in Cultivated Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

“…From the industrial and food perspective, mucilage has many applications, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles, paper, and paint production [41]. In the present study, in both moisture conditions, the amount of mucilage in yellow-seeded families was slightly more than the brown ones.…”

Soluble Dietary Fibers as Antihyperlipidemic Agents: A Comprehensive Review to Maximize Their Health Benefits

“…34 From a chemical perspective, MC is formed of uronic acids, glycoproteins, and highly branched polysaccharides as D-xylose, L-arabinose, D-galactose, L-rhamnose, D-mannose, D-glucose, or L-fucose linked by glycosidic bonds. 35 The distribution and molecular weights of polysaccharides determine the features of mucilage. High-molecular-weight polysaccharides promote the ability of MC to be used as a thickening and gel-forming agent.…”