- Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from Astragalus species, used as a stabilizer, emulsifier, and thickening agent.
- Tragacanth is applied in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries for its binding, soothing, and suspending properties.
General Information
- Synonyms: Gum Tragacanths, Shiraz gum.
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Biological Source:
- Dried exudate from Astragalus gummifer.
- Family: Fabaceae.
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Geographical Source:
- Found in Iran, Turkey, Afghanistan, India.
Macroscopical Characters of Tragacanth
- Color: White to yellowish.
- Texture: Hard, tough, ribbon-like flakes.
- Taste: Mucilaginous.
- Odor: Odorless.
Chemical Constituents of Tragacanth
- Polysaccharides: Bassorin (swells in water), Tragacanthin (soluble).
- Sugars: Galacturonic acid, Arabinose, Xylose.
Preparation
- Collection: Exudate scraped from plant bark.
- Purification: Dried and powdered.
- Processing: Packaged for use in pharmaceuticals.
Evaluation
- Solubility: Swells in water but does not dissolve completely.
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Purity Tests:
- Swelling Index (Hydration capacity).
Preservation & Storage
- Stored in cool, dry places to prevent spoilage.
Therapeutic Uses
- Demulcent (used in sore throat treatments).
- Emulsifier in suspensions and creams.
- Laxative (bulk-forming agent).
Commercial Utility
- Used in pharmaceuticals (binding agent in tablets).
- Used in food industry (thickening agent).
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