GUM TRAGACANTH (INS 413)

About GUM TRAGACANTH (INS 413)

Properties of Gum Tragacanth

As collected gum tragacanth is white to weak yellow translucent horny in texture having a short fracture  can be easily powdered if heated to 50C Powdered gum tragacanth is white to yellowish white in color

Chemically the gum tragacanth is an acid polysaccharide composed of galactose rhamnose  galacturonic acid  is partially acetylated

Even though it is insoluble in water it swells in cold water into a jelly like mass in water absorbing water rapidly to form viscous colloidal mucilages at low concentrations

Heating dispersions of this gum results in permanent loss of viscosity

A 1 solution has a viscosity of about 3400 cps  at 2 it forms a paste exhibiting a pH between 5 to 6

The gum is approved for food use  is in the GRAS Generally Recognized Act Safe list

Uses of Gum Tragacanth

                                                                                                                As freezingembedding medium for tissue preservation