9000-36-6

Basic information

• Product Name: KARAYA GUM
• Synonyms: E 416;Gums, karaya;Gums, sterculia;Inolaxol;Kadai gum;Karaya K 5;STERCULIA GUM;TRAGACANTH INDIAN
• CAS NO: 9000-36-6
• Molecular Formula: C3H4O3
• Molecular Weight: 0
• EINECS: 232-539-4
• Mol File: 9000-36-6.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Appearance: Yellow to Pale Brown/Powder
• CAS DataBase Reference: KARAYA GUM(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: KARAYA GUM(9000-36-6)
• EPA Substance Registry System: KARAYA GUM(9000-36-6)

Safety Data

• WGK Germany: 2
• RTECS: WI9370000
• TSCA: Yes
• Hazardous Substances Data: 9000-36-6(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Karaya Gum, also known as Sterculia gum, gum Karaya, gum kadaya, Indian tragacanth, and India Gum, is a hydrophilic polysaccharide exudate obtained from the Sterculia urens tree, native to the mountainous regions of central and eastern India. It is a complex polysaccharide with a high molecular weight of about 9.5 million, consisting of units of D-galacturonic acid, D-galactose, and L-rhamnose. The gum has a slightly acetous odor and is insoluble in alcohol, but it swells in water to form a gel.

Uses

Used in Food Industry:
Karaya Gum is used as a stabilizer, thickener, texturizer, and emulsifier in food products to improve their consistency, texture, and shelf life.
Used in Textile Industry:
Karaya Gum is used as a thickening agent for dyes, enhancing the dyeing process and improving the colorfastness of textiles.
Used in Paper Manufacturing:
Karaya Gum is used as a binder in paper manufacture, providing strength and stability to the paper products.
Used as a Denture Adhesive:
Karaya Gum is used as a denture adhesive, helping to secure dentures in place and providing a comfortable fit.
Used as a Substitute for Gum Tragacanth:
Karaya Gum can be used as a substitute for gum tragacanth, offering similar properties and functionality in various applications.
Occurrence:
Karaya Gum is primarily found in India and Pakistan, where the Sterculia urens tree is native. The exudate is collected from the trees by tapping or drilling, and the best quality gum is collected during the hot spell that precedes the monsoon season. The gum is then cleaned, fragmented, and sorted before being exported to various markets. Processors in the United States further purify the gum to remove impurities such as bark, wood fiber, and soil, and then grind, size, and blend the material to obtain uniform grades of gum.

Essential oil composition

Gum karaya is a complex polysaccharide with a very high molecular weight, approximately 9,500,000 daltons. The gum karaya molecule contains D-rhamnose, D-galactose and D-galacturionic acid units. Ratios of 43% D-galacturionic acid, 13% D-galactose and 15% L-rhamnose have been obtained by hydrolysis.