Page 110 - PG 504-theoretical notes-phyto-1-2024-2025..

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

Characters:

▪ It occurs in flattened flakes showing ridges on the surface.

▪ It is white or pale yellowish-white, translucent and horny.

▪ It is odorless and breaks with a short fracture.

▪ The gum swells in water into gelatinous mass.

Bassorin is the responsible part for the water absorbing and swelling properties

to give mucilage of high viscosity and high suspending power.

Identity tests:

▪ Mucilage of tragacanth gum gives heavy precipitate with lead acetate
(gum arabic gives no precipitate).

▪ Powdered tragacanth shows scattered blue points due to starch when

treated with iodine solution (microscopic), (gum arabic -ve).

▪ Powdered tragacanth does not show pink color when treated with

ruthenium red (microscopic) (Sterculia gum does).

▪ Aqueous solution does not give blue color with benzidin and hydrogen

peroxide due to absence of oxidase enzyme (gum arabic and stercula gum

give positive test).

Uses:

1) Suspending agent for insoluble powder in mixture.

2) Emulsifying agent for oils and resins.

3) Binding agent in pills and tablets.

4) Demulcent and emollient. 5) In calico printing.

Substitutes & adulterants: Sterculia gum (= Karaya gum = Indian gum)

91