Mucilage

Name:
Mucilage
Detailed information:
A plant product obtained from seeds, roots, or other parts of plants by extraction with either hot or cold water. Mucilages give slippery or gelatinous solutions, e.g., those from guar bean, linseed, locust bean, and related leguminous plant seeds. Generally plant mucilates are insoluble in alcohol, but some are partly soluble in water and partly soluble in alcohol. From various types of saltwater algae the so-called seaweed mucilages, such as agar, algin, and carrageenin (sometimes referred to as algal polysaccharides) may be obtained by extraction with hot water. Mucilages are closely related to gums, and the distinction between them is not always clear.See Adhesive; Gum, Natural.