SYNONYM:
Gum tragacanth
BIOLOGICAL SOURCE: Tragacanth is the dried gummy exudation
obtained from the stem of Astragalus gummifer belonging to the
family Leguminosae.
MACROSCOPICAL CHARACTERS: Form: flattened,
lamellate, tough ribbon like flakes, horny, translucent, with transverse and
longitudinal ridges, more or less curved or contorted. Colour: white
or faint yellow, Size: About 2.5cm (l), Fracture: Short,
Odour: None, Taste: mucilaginous.
ACTIVE CONSTITUENTS: Carbohydrate Tragacanth contains two
fractions of which one is soluble in water. Water soluble portion is Tragacanthin
(8 to 10%) Water insoluble portion is Bassorin (60 to 70%).Tragacanth
contains about 15%of methoxy group which swells in water. It is the constituent
of the gum responsible for its high viscosity. The products of hydrolysis of
tragacanth are galactouronic acid, D-galactopyranose, L-arabino-rhamnose and
D-xylopyranose.
THERAPEUTICAL USES: Demulcent and Emollient in cosmetics, Suspending
agent, Binding agent, Emulsifying agent, Laxative , Excipient in pills.,
Adhesive
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