The galactomannan from the seeds of Caesalpinia pulcherrima was extracted in water and obtained in 25 % yield, after purification. The D-mannose to D-galactose ratio, M/G = 3.1, the intrinsic viscosity, [h] = 11.2 dL/g (in water and 298K), and the viscosity-average molar mass, <img width=32 height=32 src="http://img/revistas/po/v9n2/7937s1.gif" align=absmiddle > or = 1.7 x 10(6), were determined. The dependence of the specific viscosity at zero shear rate, hsp0, on the coil overlap parameter, C[h], showed slopes of 1.1 and 4.2 for the dilute and concentrated regimes, respectively. The Cox-Merz rule was followed satisfactorily by solutions submitted to steady and dynamic flows.
Galactomannan; Caesalpinia pulcherrima; Dmannose to D-galactose ratio; rheological properties in solution
