Abstract: Using Fenugreek Gum pieces as feed stock, the technological conditions for preparation of carboxymethyl Fenumgreek Gum are optimized, and the optimal reaction conditions are determined by a series of orthogonal trials and single-fact test. The influence of experimental factors on apparent viscosity of Carboxymethylation Fenugreek Gum solution is investigated. The results indicate that the optimal reaction condition is as follow: NaOH concentration is 0.15mol/L,the ratio of NaOH∶sodium chloroacetate is 1∶1.25, the alkalization pretreatment time is 45min, the reaction temperature is 50℃ and the reaction time is 4h. The water insoluble substance content is reduced from 35.8% to 7.9% and the apparent viscosity of Carboxymethylated Fenumgreek Gum is evidently enhanced,which can provide guidance for the industrializition of Carboxymethylated Fenumgreek Gum production.

Key words: Fenugreek Gum, alkalization, carboxymethylation, apparent viscosity, modification