Quantitative Evaluation of Some Physical and Chemical Properties of the Gum-Mucilage of Anacardium Occidentale L (Anacardiaceae)

Abstract

Anacardium occidentale L (Anacardiaceae) is a tree that grows up to a height of 12m and strives well in most soils. This study is mainly concerned with the quantitative evaluative parameters of the stem bark exudates (gum) of the plant. The result of tested gum showed that the Moisture content was 11.68±0.11%w/w for cashew gum and 9.0±0.58%w/w for gum Arabic (used as standard); Total ash value (0.75±0.03% w/w); Acid insoluble ash value (0.10±00% w/w); Water soluble ash value (0.76±0.03% w/w); Swelling index (3.19±0.19%w/w and 5.68±0.048 for test gum and gum Arabic respectively); Alcohol extractive value (0.09±00% w/w for test sample and 0.60±0.12%w/w for gum Arabic) and Water extractive value (15.92±0.24% w/w for cashew gum and 6.20±0.23%w/w for gum acacia). The acid value was found to be 4.49 and 3.93 for A. occidentale and gum Arabic respectively; Saponification value was 11.22 for A. occidentale and 22.44 for the gum Arabic; Refractive index for test gum was 1.36 while the gum arabic has refractive index of 1.33. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.