Physicochemical Properties of Gum Arabic

Authors

  • F. Inegbedion Department of Polymer Technology, Auchi Polytechnic Auchi, Nigeria
  • V. U. Okojie Department of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria
  • F. Egharevba Department of Chemistry, Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30564/opmr.v2i2.2592

Abstract

Gum Arabic is harvested commercially from wild trees throughout the Sahel from Senegal and Sudan to Somalia and in the northern part of Nigeria. Clumps of gum Arabic were collected and dirt particles were removed, the samples were dried and grounded to fine powder. The Physicochemical properties of gum Arabic was determined using standard methods and the values obtained showed; Moisture content 6.9% ± 5, Soluble content 90.6%, Viscosity 5.45 ± 3Ns/m2, Ash content 3.2 ± 4%, Zinc 3mg/kg, Iron 41mg/kg ± 5, Manganese 48.2mg/kg ± 5 and Copper 33.3mg/kg ± 2. The gum also contains carbohydrate 0.3ppm ± 2, protein 0.75ppm ± 2, starch 0.0076 ± 10 and nitrogen 0.12ppm ± 5. It was observed that the gum does not contain cadmium and nickel.

Keywords:

Gum Arabic; Physicochemical; Hydrocolloid

References

[1] Aghughu, O. Nursery Practices of Acacia Senegal (Gum Arabic). Workshop Proceedings on Gum Arabic Production and Marketing at APCU, Kano, 1998.

[2] Aghughu, O., Ojiekpon, I. F., Wuranti, V. Agronomic practices for gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) production. Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 2005.

[3] Bhatia S. C. Environmental Chemistry. CNS Publishers and Distributors, 1st Edition, 2006: 46+496.

[4] Cossalter, C. Acacia Senegal: Gum tree with promise for Agro - Forestry. Nitrogen fixing Tree Association, Hawaii, FAO Conservation Guide, 1991, 27: 91-102.

[5] Scholte, P. T. Leaf litter and Acacia pods as feed for livestock during the dry sea season in Acacia Cammiphora Bush. Journal of Arid Environments, 1992, 22: 271-276.

[6] Smolinske, S. C. Handbook of Food, Drug and Cosmetic Excipients, 1st ed. London: Heineman Publishers, 1992: 7.

[7] Svehla, G. Vogel’s Qualitative Inorganic Analysis, Pearson Education. 7th edition. 2007: 95- 100+121+143-147+151.

[8] Williams, P. A., Idris, O. H. M. Structural Analysis of Gum from Acacia Senegal, 1st ed. New York: Kluwer Academics, 2008: 154.

[9] William, P. A., Phillips G. O. Gum Arabic. In Handbook of Hydrocolloids, Cambridge, New York Woodhead publishing, 2000.

[10] Phillip, G. O., Ogasawara, T. The regulatory and Scientific Approach to Defining Gum Arabic as a Dietry fiber. Food Hydrocolloids, 2007, 22: 24-30.

[11] De Pinto, G., Martinez, M., Mendoza J. A. Cashew tree exudate gum: a novel bioligand tool. Biochem Systems Ecol., 1995, 23: 151-156.

Downloads

How to Cite

Inegbedion, F., Okojie, V. U., & Egharevba, F. (2020). Physicochemical Properties of Gum Arabic. Organic Polymer Material Research, 2(2), 13–15. https://doi.org/10.30564/opmr.v2i2.2592

Issue

Article Type

Article