Novel effect of Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal) Past, Present and Future

Abstract

Plant gum exudates have been of importance in world trade for several thousand years and still have a wide variety of practical applications particularly in the food industry, in which they are commonly used as food additives. Gum Arabic (GA) is derived from exudates of Acacia senegal or Acacia seyal trees. Acacia is known as a good source of dietary fiber because it contains about 90 percent soluble fiber, is an important part of the diet. The Food and Drug Administration have approved acacia as an additive in foods and drugs. Currently, the principal source of GA is the Kordofan province of Sudan which produces over 90% of the world’s supply. Recent animal and clinical studies shed some light into mechanisms involved in the therapeutic action of GA and it may be useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of obesity, diabetes, colon carcinoma, inflammatory disease and malaria. The objective of the oral presentation is to provide a broad overview of the research data pertaining to one of the most agronomically significant of these plant gum exudates, namely GA, and to highlight possible avenues for future research.