Chemical Properties
Acacia gum is a white to yellow-white odorless powder. It is soluble in water and incom-
patible with alcohol, oxidizing agents, and precipitates or forms jellies on addition of
solutions of ferric salts, borax, lead subacetate, alcohol, sodium silicate, gelatin, ammoni-
ated tincture of guaiac. It is non-toxic and non-hazardous. A water-soluble gum from
several species of the acacia tree, especially
Acacia senegal
and
A. Arabica
, it is used in the
manufacture of adhesives and ink, and as a binding medium for marbling colors.
Gum arabic, also known as gum acacia, chaar gund, or char goond, is a natural gum
made of hardened sap taken from two species of the acacia tree—
A. senegal
and
A. seyal
.
Gum arabic is a natural product of the
A. senegal
tree, occurring as an exudate from the
trunks and branches. It is used primarily in the food industry as a stabilizer, but has had
more varied uses. It is normally collected by hand when dried, when it resembles a hard,
amber-like resin normally referred to as “tears.” Gum arabic is widely used in the food
industry, as an emulsifi
er, thickener, and fl
avor enhancer. It is employed as a soothing
agent in infl
ammatory conditions of the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tract, and is
useful in diarrhea and dysentery. It exerts a soothing infl
uence on all the surfaces with
which it comes in contact. Gum acacia is an ingredient of all the offi
cial Trochisci, and
various syrups, pastes, and pastilles or jujubes. During the time of the gum harvest, the
Moors of the desert are said to live almost entirely on it, and it has been proved that 6
oz is suffi
cient to support an adult for 24 h. Gum acacia is a mixture of saccharides and
glycoproteins, is highly nutritious, and provides the properties of a glue, and a binder
suitable for human consumption. In many cases of disease, it is considered that a solu-
tion of gum arabic may, for a time,constitute the exclusive drink and food of the patient.
Gum arabic reduces the surface tension of liquids, which leads to increased fi
zzing in
carbonated drinks.
Chemical Properties
white to yellow-white powder
General Description
White powder.
Air & Water Reactions
Water soluble. Aqueous solution is acid to litmus.
Reactivity Profile
Arabic gum reacts with strong oxidizing agents. Arabic gum precipitates out of solution or jellies upon addition of solutions of ferric salts, borax, basic lead acetate, alcohol, sodium silicate, gelatin or ammoniated tincture of guaiac.
Fire Hazard
Flash point data for Arabic gum are not available; however, Arabic gum is probably combustible.
Health Hazard
Exposures to gum arabica dust produce a weak allergen reaction. Prolonged periods of
dust inhalation may cause allergic respiratory reaction, headache, coughing, dizziness,
dyspnea, respiratory symptoms such as asthma, watery nose and eyes, cough, wheezing,
nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, and urticaria. Hives, eczema, and swelling may also occur.
Ingestion and inhalation of gum acacia is considered non-toxic, but sensitive individuals
may develop symptoms of mild toxicity.
Production Methods
Acacia is the dried gummy exudate obtained from the stems and
branches of Acacia senegal (Linné ) Willdenow or other related
species of Acacia (Fam. Leguminosae) that grow mainly in the
Sudan and Senegal regions of Africa.
The bark of the tree is incised and the exudate allowed to dry on
the bark. The dried exudate is then collected, processed to remove
bark, sand, and other particulate matter, and graded. Various acacia
grades differing in particle size and other physical properties are
thus obtained. A spray-dried powder is also commercially available.
Taste threshold values
Absolute;.taste.characteristics.at.15.ppm:.spicy.sweet,.fruity.and.honey.with.a.woody,.herbal.nuance
Pharmaceutical Applications
Acacia is mainly used in oral and topical pharmaceutical formulations
as a suspending and emulsifying agent, often in combination
with tragacanth. It is also used in the preparation of pastilles and
lozenges, and as a tablet binder, although if used incautiously it can
produce tablets with a prolonged disintegration time. Acacia has
also been evaluated as a bioadhesive; and has been used in novel
tablet formulations,and modified release tablets.
Acacia is also used in cosmetics, confectionery, food products,
and spray-dried flavors.
Biochem/physiol Actions
Gum arabic (GA) is reported to be a strong anti-oxidant and has shown protection against nephrotoxicity in mice by the generation of free radicals. GA also reduced the blood glucose concentration by initiating the release of insulin from the pancreatic β cells. It has hypolipidemic effect by increasing fecal bile acid and modification of lipid digestion. It is a potential therapeutic agent in hepatic and renal failures. It contains enzymes like oxidases, pectinases and peroxidases that act against microbes that cause tooth decay. Gum arabic is implicated in adverse effects like suppression of macrophage activation.
Safety Profile
Very low toxicity by ingestion.Inhalation or ingestion has produced hives, eczema, andangiodema. Experimental reproductive effects. A severeeye irritant. A weak allergen. Mutation data reported.Combustible. When heated to decomposition it emitsacrid
Safety
Acacia is used in cosmetics, foods, and oral and topical
pharmaceutical formulations. Although it is generally regarded as
an essentially nontoxic material, there have been a limited number
of reports of hypersensitivity to acacia after inhalation or
ingestion.Severe anaphylactic reactions have occurred following
the parenteral administration of acacia and it is now no longer
used for this purpose.
The WHO has not set an acceptable daily intake for acacia as a
food additive because the levels necessary to achieve a desired effect
were not considered to represent a hazard to health.
LD50 (hamster, oral): >18 g/kg
LD50 (mouse, oral): >16 g/kg
LD50 (rabbit, oral): 8.0 g/kg
LD50 (rat, oral): >16 g/kg
storage
Aqueous solutions are subject to bacterial or enzymatic degradation
but may be preserved by initially boiling the solution for a short
time to inactivate any enzymes present; microwave irradiation can
also be used. Aqueous solutions may also be preserved by the
addition of an antimicrobial preservative such as 0.1% w/v benzoic
acid, 0.1% w/v sodium benzoate, or a mixture of 0.17% w/v
methylparaben and 0.03% propylparaben. Powdered acacia should
be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Incompatibilities
amidopyrine, apomorphine, cresol, ethanol (95%), ferric salts,
morphine, phenol, physostigmine, tannins, thymol, and vanillin.
An oxidizing enzyme present in acacia may affect preparations
containing easily oxidizable substances. However, the enzyme may
be inactivated by heating at 100℃ for a short time.
Many salts reduce the viscosity of aqueous acacia solutions,
while trivalent salts may initiate coagulation. Aqueous solutions
carry a negative charge and will form coacervates with gelatin and
other substances. In the preparation of emulsions, solutions of
acacia are incompatible with soaps.
Regulatory Status
GRAS listed. Accepted for use in Europe as a food additive.
Included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database (oral preparations
and buccal or sublingual tablets). Included in the Canadian
List of Acceptable Non-medicinal Ingredients. Included in nonparenteral
medicines licensed in the UK.
![Arabic gum[piece and powder]](/NewsImg/2018-09-28/201892814533522677.jpg "Arabic gum[piece and powder]")