Multiscale assembly mechanisms of crosslinked cereal hydrogels using small angle scattering

Cereal bran represents a valuable resource rich in dietary fibre polysaccharides that can be used for advanced nutritional and material applications. We have developed multifunctional hydrogel materials using arabinoxylans from cereal brans. This project aimed to elucidate the gelation mechanisms of cereal dietary fibres at different conditions using small angle X-ray scattering. The results provided several scientific articles and the establishment of new collaborations between KTH and MAX IV Laboratory.
The results of this project contributed to fundamental understanding of hemicellulose gelation and led to the design of innovative multifunctional hydrogels. Elaborating on the driving forces of arabinoxylan gelation opens new possibilities to adjust the conditions and finetune the properties of such hydrogels according to the targeted application. This project also contributes to Lantmännen’s efforts in green energy and materials by valorizing underutilized side streams of their processes for novel applications.