Investigation of Acacia nilotica seed gum for formulation prospects

Abstract

Plant gums are useful excipient materials for preparation of different health care formulations. Gums are generally carbohydrates, which consist of long chain polysaccharides. Traditionally, plant gums have been utilized for preparation of different drug delivery systems. A. nilotica seed has nutritional and ethnobotanical values, which has been traditionally used as food and folk medicine. Thus, the purpose of this study was separation of A. nilotica seed endosperm and isolation of endospermic gum for exploration of their physicochemical properties. Result revealed that isolated endospermic gum was amorphous in nature based on SEM and XRD analysis. Elements C, K and Mg were found to be attached on gum surface in EDS analysis pH, tapped and true density were found to be closer in seed endosperm and their isolated gum. Hygroscopicity, water holding capacity, porability, swelling index, angle of repose and porosity were enhanced in isolated gum. Tensile strength and viscosity of isolated gum i.e., 60.93 mN.m^-1 and 5-200 cP respectively, were increased as compared to seed endosperm i.e., 55.73 mN.m^-1 and 4-100 cP respectively. Thus, isolated endospermic gum was found to be suitable in terms of physicochemical properties and may be used as plant based safe, non-toxic and eco-friendly excipient material in pharmaceutical applications.