Title: Ghatti Gum
CAS Registry Number: 9000-28-6
Synonyms: Gum Ghatti; Indian gum
Literature References: The gummy exudate from stems of
Anogeissus latifolia Wall.,
Combretaceae, abundant in India and Ceylon,
cf. C. L. Mantell,
The Water-Soluble Gums (New York, 1947). Name derived from the word
ghats, meaning passes, and given to the gum because of its ancient mountain transportation routes. Structure is a complex water-soluble polysaccharide occurring as a calcium-magnesium salt; composed of L-arabinose, D-galactose, D-mannose, D-xylose, D-glucuronic acid, in a molar ratio of 10:6:2:1:2, and traces of 6-deoxyhexose: Aspinall
et al., J. Chem. Soc. 1955, 1160. Early investigation of chemistry and mol wt: Shaw
et al., Proc. S. D. Acad. Sci. 15, 46 (1935);
16, 34 (1936);
17, 27 (1937);
19, 130 (1939);
21, 78 (1941).
Review: Meer
et al., in
Industrial Gums, R. L. Whistler, Ed. (Academic Press, New York, 2nd ed., 1973) pp 265-271.
Properties: Ghatti gum sold in the U.S. usually has been autoclaved in order to make all of the gum water-sol. The
U.S. Dispensatory (24th ed.) states that gum Ghatti suitable as clinical laboratory reagent is entirely sol in 5 parts of cold water. Forms a very viscous mucilage, more viscous but less adhesive than acacia. Insol in 90% alcohol. [a]D25 +42° (dil H2SO4). Gum ghatti solns may be colored slightly due to traces of pigment remaining in the gum. Does not form a true gel.
Optical Rotation: [a]D25 +42° (dil H2SO4)
Use: As substitute for acacia. As emulsifying agent in pharmaceuticals, oils, waxes.
