Binding agent
Binding agent
A binding agent (pronunciation: /ˈbʌɪndɪŋ ˈeɪdʒənt/) is a substance that holds or draws other materials together to form a cohesive whole mechanically, chemically, or as an adhesive.
Etymology
The term "binding agent" is derived from the English words "bind" and "agent". "Bind" comes from the Old English bindan, meaning "to tie up with bonds" (literally or figuratively), and "agent" comes from the Latin agens, meaning "a person or thing that acts or does an act".
Types of Binding Agents
There are several types of binding agents used in various fields such as construction, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and more. Some of these include:
- Cement: A binding agent used in construction that sets, hardens, and adheres to other materials to bind them together.
- Gelatin: A translucent, colorless, flavorless food ingredient, derived from collagen taken from animal body parts. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, medications, drug and vitamin capsules, photographic films and papers, and cosmetics.
- Starch: A polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants as energy storage. It is the most common carbohydrate in human diets and is contained in large amounts in staple foods like potatoes, wheat, maize (corn), rice, and cassava.
- Pectin: A structural heteropolysaccharide contained in the primary cell walls of terrestrial plants. It is produced commercially as a white to light brown powder, mainly extracted from citrus fruits, and is used in food as a gelling agent, particularly in jams and jellies.
Related Terms
- Adhesive: A substance used for sticking objects or materials together.
- Cohesion (chemistry): The component of shear strength of a rock or soil that is independent of interparticle friction.
- Polymer: A large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits, known as monomers.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Binding agent
- Wikipedia's article - Binding agent
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