Showing papers on "Gum arabic published in 2006"

Structure of gum arabic in aqueous solution

Abstract: Gum arabic, a natural polysaccharide derived from exudates of Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal trees, is a commonly used food hydrocolloid. The complex chemical structure of the gum has been widely studied revealing a multifraction ma- terial consisting mainly of a highly branched polysaccharide and a protein-polysac- charide complex (GAGP) as a minor component. This work investigates its mesoscopic structure in aqueous solution by small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering combined with cryotransmission electrons microscopy. Scattering measurements reveal an intri- cate shape composed of many spheroidal aggregates assigned to the polysaccharide with a small amount of larger coils. A scattering peak is observed at moderate to high concentrations, the spacing of which exhibits a c � 1/3 power law relation to polymer concentration (c). Upon addition of salt, this peak disappears, indicating its electro- static nature. The large coils contribute a q � 2 power law at the low scattering vector (q) range. However, at low concentration in which the interaggregate peak is not observed, a q � 1 power law at the low q range indicates the possible existence of a

Microencapsulation of Cinnamon Oleoresin by Spray Drying Using Different Wall Materials

Abstract: Microencapsulation of spice oleoresin is a proven technology to provide protection against degradation of sensitive components present therein. The present work reports on the microencapsulation of cinnamon oleoresin by spray drying using binary and ternary blends of gum arabic, maltodextrin, and modified starch as wall materials. The microcapsules were evaluated for the content and stability of volatiles, entrapped and total cinnamaldehyde content for six weeks. A 4:1:1 blend of gum arabic:maltodextrin:modified starch offered a protection, better than gum arabic as seen from the t1/2; i.e., time required for a constituent to reduce to 50% of its initial value.

Identification of intestinal bacteria responsible for fermentation of gum arabic in pig model.

Abstract: Acacia spp. produce gum exudates, traditionally called gum arabic or gum acacia, which are widely used in the food industry such as emulsifiers, adhesives, and stabilizers. The traditional gum arabic is highly variable with average molecular weights varying from 300,000–800,000. For this reason a standardized sample was used for the present experiments, based on a specific species of gum arabic (Acacia(sen)SUPER GUMTM EM2). The literature indicates that gum arabic can be fermented by the intestinal bacteria to short chain fatty acid, particularly propionate. However, the bacteria responsible for the fermentation have not been determined. In this study, we used enrichment culture of pig cecal bacteria from the selected high molecular weight specific gum arabic of (MW 1.77 × 106). We found Prevotella ruminicola-like bacterium as a predominant bacterium that is most likely to be responsible for fermentation of the gum arabic used to propionate.

Vitamin C stability in encapsulated green West Indian cherry juice and in encapsulated synthetic ascorbic acid

Abstract: Kinetic studies on the degradation of vitamin C and nonenzymatic browning of green West Indian cherry juice and synthetic ascorbic acid, encapsulated in maltodextrin DE20 and a mixture of this with gum arabic, were carried out at different temperatures (15, 25, 35 and 45 °C). Vitamin C degradation followed the first-order and nonenzymatic browning a zero-order kinetic model. At higher storage temperatures the formulation containing a mixture of maltodextrin and gum arabic (3:1) was the most effective for vitamin C protection. An increase in storage temperature showed a greater impact on the degradation of synthetic vitamin C than on that of the green West Indian cherry juice. These differences could be due to the presence of phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, protecting the vitamin C.

Conjugation of sodium caseinate and gum arabic catalyzed by transglutaminase.

Abstract: Conjugation of the milk protein sodium caseinate and a protein-containing polysaccharide, gum arabic, was achieved through the use of the cross-linking enzyme transglutaminase. The extent of conjugation was monitored by size exclusion separation coupled with a multiangle laser light scattering detector. The elution times of gum arabic solutions incubated with transglutaminase were unchanged over time, whereas incubation of sodium caseinate with transglutaminase resulted in shorter elution times as reaction time increased, indicating the formation of cross-linked caseinate polymers. However, when mixtures of caseinate and gum arabic were incubated with transglutaminase, the elution times were decreased markedly, indicating conjugation between the protein and polysaccharide. The molecular masses of the conjugates increased from approximately 950 to 1600 kDa. This method of protein-polysaccharide conjugation offers noticeable advantages over previously used methods, and the conjugates produced may exhibit unique functional properties.

Productivity and nutrient cycling in young Acacia senegal farming systems on Vertisol in the Blue Nile region, Sudan

Abstract: Acacia senegal, the gum arabic-producing tree, is the most important component of traditional dryland agroforestry systems in the␣Sudan. The spatial arrangement of trees and the type of agricultural crop used influence the interaction between trees and crops. Tree and crop growth, gum and crop yields and nutrient cycling were investigated over a period of 4 years. Trees were grown at 5 × 5 m and 10 × 10 m spacing alone or in mixtures with sorghum or sesame. No statistically significant differences in sorghum or sesame yields between the intercropping and control treatments were observed (mean values were 1.54 and 1.54 t ha−1 for sorghum grain and 0.36 and 0.42 t ha−1 for sesame seed in the mixed and mono-crop plots, respectively). At an early stage of agroforestry system management, A. senegal had no detrimental effect on crop yield; however, the pattern of resource capture by trees and crops may change as the system matures. A significant positive relationship existed between the second gum picking and the total gum yield. The second gum picking seems to be a decisive factor in gum production and could be used as an indicator for the prediction of the total gum yield. Soil organic carbon, N, P and K contents were not increased by agroforestry as compared to the initial levels. Soil OC was not increased by agroforestry as compared to sole cropping. There was no evidence that P increased in the topsoil as the agroforestry plantations aged. At a stocking density of 400 trees ha−1 (5 × 5 m spacing), A. senegal accumulated in its biomass a total of 18.0, 1.21, 7.8 and 972 kg ha−1 of N, P, K and OC, respectively. Agroforestry contributed ca. 217 and 1500 kg ha−1 of K and OC, respectively, to the top 25-cm of soil during the first four years of intercropping.

Electrical characterization of ion conducting biopolymeric gel complexes

Abstract: Gum Arabica is a naturally occurring conducting biomaterial biopolymer, its various aspects of electrical and structural characteristics have been investigated in our earlier works. In the present work the ionic gel formation of Gum Arabica and its electro-chemical application were experimentally investigated. Hot concentrated aqueous solution of Gum Arabica with phosphoric acid, minimum 16% of solute, was found to form ionic hydrogel on slow cooling. It consists of polyelectrolyte molecules cross-linked by phosphate ions by chemical bonds into an integrated spatial network in water solvent. The increase in surface to volume ratio shows a gel collapse to provide transparent solid material. Gel formation of Gum Arabica was also studied with chromium and molybdenum oxide as cross-linking agent. The various studies carried out on the mentioned materials to investigate its structural and electrical characteristics are XRD, DSC, SEM and impedance spectroscopy. The said gel was found to provide a good electro-chemical cell with suitable redox pair.

The sugar and nitrogen content of the gums of Acacia species in the mountain ash and alpine ash forests of central Victoria and its potential implications for exudivorous arboreal marsupials.

Abstract: Chemical analysis of the total sugar and total nitrogen content of Acacia dealbata, Acacia obliquinervia and Acacia frigescens gum exudate was completed. These trees were located within stands of 53 year old Mountain Ash, Eucalyptus regnans and Alpine Ash, Eucalyptus delegatensis forest in the Central Highlands of Victoria, southeastern Australia. Values for sugar content ranged from 24 to 68% per sample. Gum samples that were collected in E. regnans forests had a significantly lower (P<0.05) sugar content than those from stands dominated by E. delegatensis. Statistical analyses using Scheffe's S-test indicated that there was a significant difference in the sugar content of gums between A. dealbata and A. frigescens but not between A. dealbata and A. obliquinervia or A. obliquinervia and A. frigescens. Values for the nitrogen content of Acacia gum varied from 0.2 to 0.7% per sample. Statistical analyses revealed that nitrogen content was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by a combination of three interacting factors: (i) Acacia species; (ii) tree diameter; and (iii) forest type. Therefore, the findings of this study indicate that the sugar and nitrogen content of Acacia gum may vary between forest types and tree species. The gum of Acacia species is an important source of food for several species of arboreal marsupials, and differences in sugar and nitrogen content could be a factor potentially influencing the distribution and abundance of these animals.

Spray-dried compositions and their uses

Abstract: The present invention relates to spray dried compositions comprising one or more active ingredients dispersed in a carrier of gum Arabic in admixture with a non- ionic surfactant. The compositions are particularly useful for the encapsulation of menthol and can be used to prepare chewing gums and compressed tablets.

Sensitization due to Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal): The Cause of Occupational Allergic Asthma or Crossreaction to Carbohydrates?

Abstract: Background: A pharmaceutical industry worker was exposed to dust of gum arabic in the tablet coating plant and complained of work-related shortness of breath, chest tightness, runny

Emulsifiers and emulsions

Abstract: An emulsifier which is a protein/polysaccharide conjugate derived from whey protein and a non-ionic polysaccharide, more particularly dextran, maltodextrin or gum Arabic, is described together with its application in emulsions and beverages.

Identification of historical ink ingredients using pyrolysis-gc-ms. a model study.

Abstract: In past centuries, inks were prepared using many different recipes and contained a great variety of ingredients. This work presents analyses of some substances which were used in addition to common components of inks such as galls, vitriol and charcoal, in the course of ink preparation. Qualitative characterizations of pomegranate seeds and peel, gum arabic, apricot gum, saffron, henna and mustard are reported. The analyses were carried out using pyrolysis coupled to a gas chromatograph with mass-spectroscopic detection.

Acacia gum (gum arabic)

Abstract: Acacia gum (AG) is the dried gum of the stem and branches of acacia trees (family leguminosae) and various other acacia trees throughout the world and it is often referred to commercially as gum arabic. AG is a complex polysaccharide consisting mainly of calcium salts of polyarabic acid, but also contains magnesium and potassium ions. It is a high molecular weight polysaccharide molecule containing Dgalactopyranose, D-glucuronic acid, L-rhamnopyranose and L-arabofuranose. On hydrolysis, acacia yields hexoses, arabinose, galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. AG is generally recognized as safe by the US FDA. It is widely used in the production of foods such as puddings, frostings, candy, beverages and chewing gum. It has demulcent properties and is often added to medicines for that purpose [1–4]. AG is a water soluble fermentable polysaccharide resistant to gut enzymes and thus can be described as a dietary fiber. The principle fermenter bacteria capable of using acacia as the only carbohydrate source are bacteriods and bifidobacterium. The proportion of these flora rise after acacia ingestion and return to initial levels after cessation of ingestion. AG is completely degraded in the colon [5]. The energy value of AG is 14.7 ± 0.5 kJ/g, lower than the energy value of starch 17.4 ± 0.4 kJ/g [6]. AG administered to men for 3 weeks has no effect on glucose tolerance, but decreases serum cholesterol [7].

Livelihood diversification and land use change in the Sahel: an interdisciplinary analysis of gum arabic in Sudan

Abstract: This thesis contributes to the ongoing debate about livelihood diversifi cation and the related question of agriculture’s central role in rural development in the Sahel. It focuses on on-farm diversifi cation during the dry season. The aim is to assess the practice and potential of gum arabic production for smallholders in central Sudan. The agricultural system of gum arabic production has provided smallholders with incomes, soil fertility improvements and other advantages for generations, but for a number of reasons changes are taking place in production, which can be detrimental if no other alternatives exist. The methods in this thesis involve a multi-level analysis from international to local level analysing both indirect and direct driving forces of production. An interdisciplinary approach is applied combining different theoretical frameworks and integrating the results from both remote sensing and interviews. The results showed that the indirect driving forces, operating at international, national and regional levels, related to the economic and political causes: international demand and national gum prices, and the environmental causes: drought, precipitation and pests. The severe drought in 1984 caused an eventdriven change that lead to a discontinuation of production in some parts, which was one of the reasons for regional differences in production. The direct driving forces, operating at a local level, related to the way in which input of labour and resources was prioritised between the main livelihoods: gum arabic, crops, off-farm activities and livestock. Results from the local level revealed that incomes from off-farm activities increased, as in many other parts of Africa, during the last decades. Livestock was found to be diffi cult to combine with gum arabic production since they damage the trees. A study of very high resolution satellite images showed that the cultivated land per capita had decreased since the end of the 1960s. No increase in yields took place, according to interviews, and therefore a production per capita decline was concluded. The image classifi cation was based on an object-oriented approach with high accuracy and the approach can therefore be an alternative for regional land use studies. The relations between gum arabic, crops, off-farm activities and livestock are complex and, for example, depend on labour division within households. In conclusion, both direct and indirect driving forces of gum arabic production are recognised, but the direct causes, taking into account the constraint and opportunities of households, are emphasised. Gum arabic production can play a part in rural development in these parts of Sudan, but the challenge is also to acknowledge the diversity and dynamics of other livelihoods. (Less)

Economic analysis of deforestation : the case of the gum Arabic belt in Sudan

Abstract: Keywords: Gum Arabic; Deforestation; Entry and Exit; Real options Drought; Socio-economic, Oligopoly; Interdependent markets; Stackelberg. The gum arabic belt in Sudan offered in the past an example of how environmental conservation and economic development could be achieved simultaneously as it generates a number of private and social benefits to gum producers and the country as a whole. The most important benefits from the gum based system are income from the gum harvest to the poor farmers and combating large scale desertification in the Sudan-Sahel zone. Over the last few decades, however, the gum belt suffered from increased degradation, gum production decreased and Sudan lost its near monopoly position in the gum export market. The main purpose of this study is to obtain a better understanding of the factors underlying the deforestation of the gum belt and the decline in gum production in Sudan during recent years. Two important gum arabic producing acacias are found in the gum belt: Acacia senegal that produces high quality gum and Acacia seyal that produces low quality gum. The analysis in this study focuses mainly on Acacia senegal and Acacia senegal -based agroforestry system in Kordofan region - a major gum production area in Sudan . Various methodological approaches including theoretical and empirical analysis are employed in the study. A micro econometrics technique is used to identify the effect of socio-economic factors assumed to influence the disadoption of gum production. The study merges the real options approach with agroforestry to analyze farmers' investment decision in the choice between three different land use systems (gum agroforestry, gum forestry and agriculture). Moreover a theoretical scheme of Stackelberg model (non-cooperative oligopoly model) is deployed to analyze the competition in the gum export market for high and low quality gum between the (leader) Sudan and the followers ( Chad and Nigeria ). It attempts to investigate the effects of market interventions-such as international subsidies on gum market equilibrium and leader's ( Sudan 's) long run performance of profits from the gum export. The micro-econometric approach used to analyze the determinants of farmers' disadoption of gum production shows that factors which affect the opportunity cost of labor and income from annual crops tend to influence the observed variation in the behavior of adoption practices in gum production. Income from annual crops has a positive effect on continuous adoption of gum agroforestry. This specific result suggests that gum arabic and other agricultural crops (except groundnut because of overlap in harvest time) do not compete but rather complement one another in the household farming economy. Policy measures that aim to improve agricultural production in the region will induce farmers to settle in their village and reduce the seasonal labor migration trend which in turn will increase the availability of labor for gum production. The theoretical framework developed using a real options approach aimed to analyze the economic incentives for entry (planting gum tree) and exit (abandoning gum forest) in the gum arabic agroforestry. Monte Carlo simulation shows that higher economic benefit is observed from agricultural production than the gum production. Results also suggest that an increase of about nine to ten times on the average opportunity costs of labor is necessary in order for farmers to further abandon gum arabic production and neglect the gum forest. As for the expansion (plantation) of gum forest we analyzed two options: converting idle land into gum forest and converting agricultural land into gum forest. Results show that the incremental average annual benefits of gum agroforestry or forestry systems are above the critical values for converting idle land to a gum arabic forest. This suggests that farmer's could expand gum forest. However, this is not observed, and we suggest two interpretations to explain the observed non-expansion of gum forest into idle lands: scarcity of labor and insecure property rights caused by political instability in the country which discourage long-term investments. Furthermore, the current incremental average annual benefits for converting agricultural land to gum arabic agroforestry (forestry) system are found to be below the calculated threshold values needed for the investment. Results suggest that an increase in the prices of gum arabic respectively of about 315 per cent and 775 percent is needed to induce a shift in land use system from continuous agricultural production to gum agroforestry or forestry land use systems respectively. The analysis of the competition in the gum export market between the three major gum exporters attempts to assess the best strategy for Sudan to pursue in light of the recent changes in the gum market structure and the proposed donor policies of subsidizing gum production in Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis is based on von Stackelberg model and investigates the effect of different subsidy scenarios. Our result shows that the proportionate increase in Sudan 's profit is higher when the leader ( Sudan ) uses a subsidy to promote high quality gum than when it uses the subsidy to promote the low quality gum. In the case of followers ( Chad , Nigeria ), however, the decision on which quality to promote appears to be sensitive to the levels of own and cross price elasticities. Moreover, the results suggest that it is in the advantage of Sudan, Chad and Nigeria to adopt an export coordination strategy with some side payments to be made by Sudan as compensation for Chad's and Nigeria's lost profits in case they agree to curtail their export of high quality gum.

Fractionation and Characterization of the Monosaccharides from Mesquite Prosopis spp. and Arabic Gum by Normal, Bonded Phase, HPLC

Abstract: A sensitive and selective assay of galactose, arabinose, and rhamnose is presented for its determination in mesquite and Arabic gums. Gum samples from mesquite and Arabic were fractionated by hydrophobic affinity chromatography, hydrolyzed, and analyzed by normal bonded phase high performance liquid chromatography with refraction index measurement. The assay demonstrated that it was fast and with good linear and high precision response. The column and detector performance showed good retention, selectivity, and efficiency. Based on replicated analysis of standards over a range of 0–13.33 mg/mL, the method is accurate (95–100%), and precise (CV of 3% daily). The results indicated that both gums consist of three principal fractions. The mesquite tears and native showed higher total carbohydrates content (75.73 and 76.26%) in comparison with Arabic gum (61.81%). The saccharides isolated from the Arabic gum contained galactose, arabinose, and rhamnose. Fraction I of Arabic gum showed a higher rhamnos...

Hair dye composition

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hair dye composition having an excellent dyeing property to hair, imparting a proper viscosity, excellent in usability with excellent spreading property to the hair, and having a high stability with time SOLUTION: The invention relates to the composition characterized by comprising an acrylic acid polymer and one or more selected from a hydroxyethyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, a hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, a xanthan gum, a hydroxypropyl xanthan gum, a Tragacanth gum and a gum arabic COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Effect of Inoculation with Rhizobia on the Gum-Arabic Production of 10-Year-Old Acacia senegal Trees

Abstract: The aim of our study was to assess if the inoculation of Rhizobium on mature Acacia senegal trees would have an effect on the gum-arabic yield. A plantation located in Rotto (Department of Linguere Senegal) containing 80 similar 10-year-old trees was identified. The distance between each tree planted was about 5 m. Soil analysis showed soil characteristics were not different within the plantation. The plantation was divided into two parts: one part where the 10-year-old trees were inoculated at the beginning of the rainy season (August 2002 and August 2003) with 1 L of a liquid inoculum prepared with dried alginate beads containing a mixture of selected rhizobial strains (CIRADF 300, CIRADF 301 and CIRADF 302). The taping was done at the same intensity on each tree and when the leaves started to fall. The gum-arabic production was measured for every tree during two years (December 2002/April 2003 and December 2003/April 2004). The rainfall the first year was low, about 250 mm. The effect of the i...

Effect of time and intensity of tapping on the gum yields of acacia seyal var. seyal in south kordofan, sudan

Abstract: A. seyal var. seyal (talh*) is an important multipurpose tree of the agro-silvo-pastoral systems in semi-arid South Kordofan. The species produces gum which is collected from natural exudation by t...

Decorative raw material comprising metallic foil piece, and decorative raw material comprising metallic foil

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide decorative raw material utilized through being sprinkled on food both of gustatory sensibility and visual sensation of which are highly estimated, suitable for eating, and producible in a fuss-free process. SOLUTION: The decorative raw material comprising metallic foil pieces is produced through the following process: a first process of dissolving thickening polysaccharides where gum arabic, xanthan gum and/or gellan gum each in a prescribed amount are dissolved in a prescribed amount of water; a second process of coating with thickening polysaccharide water solution where the surface of a metallic foil placed on a peeling film put on a smooth flat plate is coated with the gum arabic water solution, the xanthan gum water solution and/or the gellan gum water solution each in a prescribed amount; a third process of drying the coated metallic foil in a prescribed environment; and a fourth process where the dried metallic foil is pulverized with a pulverizer. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Economic Incentives for Entry and Exit in Gum Arabic Agroforestry System in Sudan

Abstract: The gum tree (Acacia senegal) in the Sahel-Sudan zone has many environmental benign functions. An important function is to control desertification. In this paper we analyze farmers' economic incentives to preserve the existing gum trees and their incentives to create new plantations using a real options approach. Results indicate that agricultural crops provide higher economic benefits as compared to gum agroforestry system. However, on the one hand, as gum arabic is produced during the dry period and land is abundant, there are low incentives for deforestation. Instead, farmers' tend to leave the land idle and let the tree growing. On the other hand, our results suggest that an increase in the prices of gum arabic of about 330 per cent is needed to induce entry and a shift in land use system from continuous agricultural production to gum agroforestry system.

Method for manufacturing dry microcapsulated drink (variants)

Abstract: FIELD: soft drinks industry. ^ SUBSTANCE: the present innovation refers to drinks' concentrates based upon plant raw material, for example, tea raw material. By the first variant, the method deals with obtaining plant product as an extract followed by mixing it with a supplementary substance as gum arabic, and a dairy product as dry whole milk; while mixing it is necessary to add saccharose and water to obtain emulsion that contains 1-20 weight portions of gum arabic , 5-50 weight portions of saccharose, 0.5-5.0 weight portions of dry plant extract, 35.0-70.0 weight portions of dry whole milk and 97.0-408.3 weight% water. Then comes drying due to spraying at temperature not exceeding 70° C at developing microcapsules with membranes out of gum arabic. By the second variant this method deals with obtaining plant product as aqueous plant extract at the content of dry substances being 10-30 % followed by mixing it with additional substance and dairy product. Moreover, as additional and dairy product one should apply gum arabic and dry whole milk, correspondingly. While mixing it is necessary to add saccharose and water to obtain the mixture in the form of emulsion. The latter contains 1-20 weight portions gum arabic, 5-50 weight portions saccharose, 95.1-388.3 weight portions aqueous plant extract at the content of dry substances being 10-30%, 35.0-70.0 weight portions of dry whole milk and 95.1-388.0 weight portions of water followed by drying due to spraying at temperature not exceeding 70° C, at developing microcapsules with membranes out of gum arabic. Plant extract should be obtained out of the mixture of grasses and/or, roots, and/or inflorescences, and/or fruit that contains, at least, two components. The present innovation enables to obtain dry product as microcapsules, their membrane being out of natural polymer that provides the safety of lipids (fat) and biologically active substances. ^ EFFECT: higher efficiency of manufacturing. ^ 10 cl, 2 ex, 3 tbl