TRAGACANTH GUM

Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern legumes of the genus Astragalus. In India, the gum is commonly known as “Gond Kateera”. Gum tragacanth is a viscous, odorless, tasteless, water-soluble mixture of polysaccharides obtained from sap that is drained from the root of the plant and dried. The gum absorbs water to become a gel, which can be stirred into a paste. The major fractions are known as tragacanthin, which are highly water-soluble. The gum has been used historically as a herbal remedy for conditions such as cough and diarrhea. It is used in pharmaceuticals and foods as an emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, and texturant additive.