Page 109 - PG 504-theoretical notes-phyto-1-2024-2025..

Clinical pharmacy PharmD program Third level Phytochemistry-1 (PG-504)

▪ Concentrated gum arabic solution gives a blue color with benzidine

solution and few drops of hydrogen peroxide (oxidase). Gum tragacanth

gives negative reaction.

Uses: 1) Suspending agent. 2) Demulcent. 3) In tablet granulation process.

Substitutes & adulterants: Starch, Tragacanth, Dextrin, Sterculia gum (=

Karaya gum = Indian gum)

2) Gum Tragacanth

It is a gum obtained by incision form the stems of various Asiatic species

of Astragalus especially A. gummifer (Family Leguminosae).

Collection: Gum is produced in the plant cell by a process called gummosis. It is
a process in which pith and medullary rays of cell wall are converted into gum.

Incision is made on stem and gum is obtained as a soft solid mass. When exposed

to air, water in the gum evaporates, and gum is dried.

Composition:

It consists of two main components:

1) Tragacanthin: Water-soluble acidic fraction (30-40%), whose structure

consists of an interior chains of (1 ➔ 4)-linked -D-galacturonic acid residues

with side chains composed of (D-xylose, D-galactose and L-fucose).

2) Bassorin: Water-insoluble neutral fraction (60-70%), which appears to be

methoxylated derivative of tragacanthin.

In addition to: starch

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