Page 130 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Gum Acacia (Egyptian thorn; Gum arabic; Indian gum)

FDA approved as a food supplement

Dried gummy exudates flowing naturally or obtained by
incision from the stem and branches of Acacia Senegal
family fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Origin or geographical source:
African, mainly Sudan and others as Senegal and Kenya.
Shape: rounded or ovoid tears p to about 3 cm in diameter, the outer surface bears
numerous cracks making the tears opaque.
Color: pale yellow to yellowish or pinkish.
Solubility: almost completely soluble in an equal weight of water.

Constituents:
• 90 to 99% is arabinogalactan.
• Oxidase enzyme.
• 1% of the total mass is a glycoprotein, • 1 to 10% is the arabinogalactan-
protein.

Arabin “Ca salt of Arabic acid” The polysaccharidic fraction is composed of a linear
chain of galactose ß 1, 3 linked. This chain is ramified in position 1, 6 with chains of
galactose and arabinose. Rhamnose, glucuronic acid or methyl glucuronic acid units
are found as chain terminations.

Uses:
Arabic physicians treated a wide variety of ailments with the gum resulting in its
name. It is unique for its high solubility and low viscosity”12 ml/g”.

− Emulsifying and suspending agent.

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