Gum Ghatti Research Articles

Evaluation of mucoadhesive property of gum ghatti

Gum ghatti is a high molecular weight anionic polysaccharide used in food and pharmaceutically applied as binder, thickener, emulsifier and sustained release matrix as promising polysaccharide which has not been explored as mucoadhesive polymer. The present study was carried out to evaluate gum ghatti as mucoadhesive polymer by preparing buccal disc using metronidazole as model drug. The effect of varying concentration of gum ghatti and compression pressure on ex vivo bioadhesion time and in vitro release was studied using 2-factor 3-level central composite experimental design. Metronidazole loaded gum ghatti buccal discs were evaluated by weight uniformity, thickness, friability and content uniformity. Ex vivo bioadhesion time of buccal disc was measured as time taken by buccal disc to detach from chicken buccal pouch. In vitro release behavior was studied by adhering disc to the bottom of vessel using USP type II (TDT-08L Electrolab, Mumbai, India) dissolution release apparatus. The release data was fitted into various kinetic models. The prepared buccal discs were of uniform average weight, thickness, drug content and having friability less than 1 %. The results of optimization study revealed that increasing the proportion of gum ghatti results in increase in bioadhesion time and decrease the release rate while increasing compression pressure was found to increase the release rate. The present work concluded that gum ghatti is promising mucoadhesive polymer which can be used effectively.

Effects of swift heavy ion beam irradiation on the structural and morphological properties of poly(methacrylic acid) cross-linked gum ghatti films

Poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) chains were cross linked onto the backbone of gum ghatti (Gg) using N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) and ammonium persulfate (APS) as a cross linker-initiator system in a vacuum oven. The cross linking of the PMAA chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Later, the cross-linked polysaccharide samples were irradiated at room temperature with 100 MeV O7+ ion beam irradiation at various fluences from 1 × 1011 to 3 × 1012 ions/cm2. We have observed noticeable modifications in the structural and morphological properties after irradiation. The XRD study reveals the gradual decrease in peak intensity with an increase in the ion fluence, which reflected a loss of crystallinity after irradiation. The FTIR spectra show a decrease in intensity of the typical bands at the higher fluence. Different causes of these modifications are discussed.

Change in Community Composition and Soil Carbon Stock Along Transitional Boundary in a Sub-Tropical Forest of Garhwal Himalaya

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of transitional boundary on community composition and soil carbon stock. Five vegetation types were recognized horizontally along the transitional strip based on the dominance of tree species i.e., Pure Anogeissus latifolia forest (P.AL), mixed Pinus roxburghii and Lannea coromandelica forest (M.PR&LC), pure Pinus roxburghii forest (P.PR), mixed Pinus roxburghii and Lannea coromandelica (M.PR&LC) and pure Anogeissus latifolia forest (P.AL). The results revealed that Anogeissus latifolia was reported dominant tree in the outer transitional boundaries of the forest, which reduced dominance of trees towards middle where Pinus roxburghii was found dominant. The soil carbon stock was reported higher in the Anogeissus latifolia dominant forest and reduced with the dominance of Pinus roxburghii in the middle site. Both the species are growing close to one another and competing for survival, but the aggressive nature of Anogeissus latifolia particular in this region may change new growth of Pinus roxburghii and will enhance soil carbon stock. But high anthropogenic pressure on Anogeissus latifolia tree species could be limited chance to further its flourish.

Gum ghatti–chitosan polyelectrolyte nanoparticles: Preparation and characterization

The objective of the present study was to optimize the interaction between gum ghatti and chitosan to prepare polyelectrolyte nanoparticles using ofloxacin as the model drug. The effect of varying the concentration of gum ghatti, chitosan, Pluronic F-127, and ofloxacin on particle size and entrapment efficiency was studied using central composite experimental design. The optimized calculated parameters were concentrations of gum ghatti (0.12% w/v), chitosan (0.22% w/v), Pluronic F-127 (0.05% w/v), ofloxacin (0.1% w/v), which provided polyelectrolyte nanoparticles of size 121.6nm and 94.49% entrapment. On screening for antibacterial activity, it was observed that polyelectrolyte nanoparticles had antibacterial activity comparable to the aqueous solution. Further, it was observed that polyelectrolyte nanoparticles released the drug by diffusion through the matrix following Higuchi's square-root kinetics.

Preparation of poly(acrylamide-co-acrylic acid)-grafted gum and its flocculation and biodegradation studies

Biodegradation studies of Gum ghatti (Gg) and acrylamide-co-acrylic acid based flocculants [Gg-cl-poly(AAm-co-AA)] have been reported using the soil composting method. Gg-cl-poly(AAm-co-AA) was found to degrade 89.76% within 60 days. The progress of biodegradation at each stage was monitored through FT-IR and SEM. Polymer was synthesized under pressure using potassium persulphate-ascorbic acid as a redox initiator and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a crosslinker. Synthesized polymer was found to show pH, temperature and ionic strength of the cations dependent swelling behavior. Gg-cl-poly(AAm-co-AA) was utilized for the selective absorption of saline from different petroleum fraction-saline emulsions. The flocculation efficiency of the polymer was studied as a function of polymer dose, temperature and pH of the solution. Gg-cl-poly(AAm-co-AA) showed maximum flocculation efficiency with 20molL−1 polymer dose in acidic medium at 50°C.

Variation in Leaf Characteristics of Anogeissus Latifolia (Roxb. Ex DC.) in Himachal Pradesh

Variation studies in leaf characteristics of Anogeissus latifolia in Himachal Pradesh was undertaken in four districts namely Solan, Sirmour, Kangra and Una considering three different diameter classes (10-20, 20-30 and 30-40 cm) in eight sites with three replications. Sites S4 (Chaaban-Sirmour) and S7 (Jachh-Kangra) showed best results for variation for leaf traits of this species and diameter class 30 to 40 cm proved best over other diameter classes and thus recommended for morphogenetic variation in its leaf traits. Promotion of multipurpose tree like Anogeissus latifolia will go a long way in mitigating the fuel and fodder requirements of the people of hilly state.

Harvesting and Supply Chain Analysis of Ethnobotanical Species in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve of India

Realizing the historical importance of central Indian forests in terms of ecological, social and economical perspectives and the present socio-economic changes in the community due to several reasons, the present study was conducted. It aimed at addressing the status of harvesting pattern and supply chain structure of various ethno-botanical species by the tribal communities in the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve of India. The questionnaire surveys were conducted in the villages of buffer zone areas of the Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve and market places for studying the trends and status of collection, seasons of collection, prices, and supply chain of ethnobotanicals. A total 14 ethno-botanical species were found in active trade, and in majority of cases their gum, fruit and seed were collected. The gum yielding species such as <i>Acacia nilotica, Anogeissus latifolia, Sterculia urens, Terminalia tomentosa and Terminalia arjuna</i> were found to be highly paid species among all traded ethno-botanical species. The trade in ethnobotanicals and market trends seemed quite lucrative to the tribal communities and hence they have started unsustainable harvesting of tradable forest resources to get maximum returns unlike their ancestors. Of the total tradable ethnobotanical species 8 species have qualified to various threat categories of IUCN Red List. The results of this study are further discussed in view of the conservation and management of ethnobotanical species.

Flocculation characteristics and biodegradation studies of Gum ghatti based hydrogels

Biodegradable flocculants of Gum ghatti (Gg) with acrylamide (AAm) were prepared through graft co-polymerization technique using potassium persulphate (KPS)–ascorbic acid (ABC) redox pair as initiator and N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker. Gg-cl-poly(AAm) was found to exhibit pH and temperature responsive swelling behavior. Maximum flocculation efficiency of Gg-cl-poly(AAm) was observed with 15mgL−1 polymer dose in acidic medium at 50°C. Biodegradation studies of Gg and Gg-cl-poly(AAm) were done using composting method. Gg was found to degrade within 20 days, whereas, Gg-cl-poly(AAm) was found to degrade 88.18% within 60 days. Different stages of bio-degradation were characterized through FT-IR and SEM techniques.

Synthesis and properties of poly(acrylamide-aniline)-grafted gum ghatti based nanospikes

In this work, we have synthesized poly(acrylamide-aniline)-grafted gum ghatti based crosslinked conducting hydrogel via a two-step synthesis method. The first step involved the microwave assisted synthesis of a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) based on acrylamide and gum ghatti using N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide and ammonium persulfate as a crosslinker-initiator system. The semi-IPN has been observed to exhibit as much as 2183% swelling in aqueous solution. The effect of several variables such as time, solvent, pH, microwave power, crosslinker amount, aniline concentration, initiator concentration and monomer concentration on the swelling capacity was explored. In the final step, polyaniline was entrapped within a semi-IPN (optimized reaction condition) followed by doping with hydrochloric acid, which leads to the formation of conducting IPN. The synthesized hydrogels, as monitored by the swelling behaviour were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Finally, the synthesized crosslinked networks have been used in malachite green (MG) adsorption. The result indicates that IPN of poly(acrylamide-aniline)-grafted gum ghatti are potential candidates for dye removal from water.

Forest structure, diversity and regeneration in unburnt and burnt Anogeissus latifolia forests in Garhwal Himalayas

The present study was carried out at two different gradients of unburnt and burnt Anogeissus latifolia forest sites in the Garhwal region, India. At each gradient, the unburnt and burnt forest sites were further categorized into three different elevations, i.e., lower (700 m), middle (850 m) and upper (1000 m). At each elevation, the density of trees, saplings and seedlings was higher at the unburnt sites except for trees at the upper elevation which was higher at the burnt sites. The total basal area of each layer of forest was also higher at the unburnt sites. The study revealed that the lower number of saplings and seedlings at the burnt forest sites might be due to the effect of fire. Most trees in the lower dbh classes were affected by forest fire at the burnt sites which reduced the total density and total basal area of the trees compared to the unburnt sites. The diversity of trees increased with increasing elevation. However, the diversity of saplings and seedlings reduced with increasing elevation.

Microwave-generated bionanocomposites for solubility and dissolution enhancement of poorly water-soluble drug glipizide: in-vitro and in-vivo studies

In oral absorption of a drug, the drug first dissolves and then is absorbed by diffusion through gastrointestinal membranes. The gastrointestinal environment is aqueous in nature and it is well-known that one-third of the drug population is water insoluble. Hence, there is a need for enhancement of the solubility and dissolution of such drugs. In this work, enhancement of the solubility and dissolution of the practically insoluble drug glipizide was achieved by formation of bionanocomposites (BNCs) using microwave-induced diffusion (MIND), which ultimately leads to bioavailability enhancement. BNCs were formed by using natural carriers such as gelatin, acacia, cassia and ghatti gum, with the help of microwaves. Selection of carriers was based on their surfactant and wetting properties. Solubility studies were carried out to establish the solubility-enhancing property of the BNCs. To support solubility analysis results, dissolution studies (i.e. powder dissolution and in-vitro dissolution) were carried out. The BNCs were characterized by Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction studies, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In-vivo performance of the optimised formulation was assessed by glucose-induced hyperglycaemia test in male albino Wistar rats. It was found that as the concentration of polymer in the composite increased the solubility and dissolution of glipizide were enhanced. The optimised ratio (drug : polymer) for all the composites was found to be 1:9. In the glucose-induced hyperglycemia test in rats, the optimized formulation demonstrated a significant reduction in hyperglycemia compared with a marketed formulation, Glynase. The novelty of this work is the green and cost-effective way of forming drug nanocomposites with the help of microwave, which can be scaled up to an industrial level. The method gives an immaculate means of solubilisation by generating drug dispersion at the micro and nanoscale level in natural biodegradable stabilising media. Hence, this study demonstrates the use of BNCs in solubility and dissolution enhancement.

Protease inhibitors of Acacia leucophloea gum extracts

Plant protease inhibitors (PIs) are very important for their defensive function against plant pathogens and predators. In present work trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors (PIs) from gum of one tree about seven species, Azadirachta indica, Acacia leucophloea, Acacia nilotica, Terminalia spp., Anogeissus latifolia, Mangifera indica and Moringa oleofera are studied. Protease inhibitory activity in gum extract was detected by dot blot assay. PI bands were resolved on electrophoresis gel and detected by Gel X-ray film contact print technique (GXCP). PIs from gum extracts were purified by gel filtration (Sephadex G-75). Among all gum extracts studied, the gum extract from Acacia leucophloea showed highest number of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors. One PI from the Acacia leucophloea of 97.00kDa was purified and characterized. Purified PI was not destroyed by heat treatments up to 70ºC, but lost its activity when incubated at 80°C, showing moderate thermo stability.

Evaluation of 90-day oral rat toxicity studies on the food additive, gum ghatti

Gum ghatti, a polysaccharide of natural origin, is used in foods as a thickening, gelling, emulsifying and stabilizing agent. In a 90-day toxicity study following Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guideline #408, male and female Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to 0 (control), 0.5, 1.5 and 5% gum ghatti in AIN-93M basal diet. Expected changes included increased full and empty cecal weights in 5% groups. Incidentally 2/10 females from the 5% gum ghatti group had a single colon ulcer with associated acute inflammation. In a second 90-day study increased cecal weights were present in Sprague–Dawley females exposed to 5% gum ghatti in AIN-93M and NIH-07 basal diets. A single colon ulcer with associated acute inflammation occurred in 1/20 control females given AIN-93M basal diet. The colon ulcers were considered a sporadic change possibly attributable to AIN-93M basal diet. In the second study a few statistically significant alterations in clinical chemistry were considered sporadic and unrelated to treatment. Feed consumption among treated and control groups was similar for each sex. Gum ghatti intake at the 5% dietary level ranged from 3044 to 3825mg/kg body weight/day. The 5% dietary administration was a NOAEL in both studies. NOAELs for males and females in the first study were 3044 and 3309mg/kg/day, respectively. NOAELs for females in the second study were 3670 and 3825mg/kg/day for AIN-93M and NIH-07 diets, respectively.

Identification of Anogeissus latifolia Wallich and analysis of refined gum ghatti

Natural medicinal exudates such as gum arabic are high-molecular-weight natural polysaccharides and are highly soluble in water. The dissolved solutions of these exudates show viscous behavior and exhibit favorable emulsion stability. These exudates have been widely used not only as a medicinal additive, such as a coating agent for tablets and as an emulsifier and stabilizer in beverage and food products, but also for other industrial applications, such as paints and ink. Gum ghatti was originally used as an alternative to gum arabic due to its similar properties to those found in gum arabic. Gum ghatti has been used as a food additive due to its excellent emulsification properties. In this study, we obtained gum ghatti nodules and branches as botanical specimens, which were collected from the same harvesting area. Refined gum ghatti processed from the collected gum ghatti nodules was found to comply with the specifications set by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and also to be identical to commercially available gum ghatti products as a food additive. Component analysis of the refined gum ghatti samples revealed that they contain arabinose (34.0-38.0 %), galactose (21.0-24.6 %), mannose (5.3-7.9 %), xylose (0.8-1.2 %), rhamnose (0.8-1.2 %), and glucuronic acid (15.4-18.6 %) as constituent sugars, protein (2.7-3.6 %), moisture (4.9-8.3 %), and tannin (0.041-0.092 %). As a result of the investigation of collected branches as botanical specimens, they were identified as Anogeissus latifolia Wallich. Detailed observation of their morphological characteristics revealed that many crystal cells were aligned in the lengthwise section of branch specimens.

Novel use of Acacia senegal (Super Gum™) and Anogeisus latifolia (Gatifolia SD) as functional ingredients in extruded snack products: Their role in manipulating product characteristics and modulating the potential glycaemic response of snack foods

AbstractAcacia senegal (in the form of Super Gum™) and Anogeissus latifolia (in the form of gum Gatifolia SD) were used in the manufacture of ready to eat extruded cereal snack products. Inclusions rates were 0, 5, 10 and 15% w/w replacement levels for wheat flour from a control recipe. The inclusion of Super Gum™ and Gatifolia increased product expansion and reduced product density compared to a cereal flour based control snack product. Inclusion of the gum materials also decreased the hardness of the snack products whilst increasing the crispiness of the product (number of fracture peaks recorded during axial compression of samples). Glucose area under the curve (AUC) measurements obtained using in vitro digestion procedures illustrated that the potential glucose release of snack products was reduced by more than 30% by the inclusion of Gatifolia and Super Gum™ at 15% w/w compared to the control sample. Such a reduction in potential glucose release was not dose responsive. These results illustrate a potential nutritional benefit of the utilisation of Gatifolia and Super Gum™ in the ready to eat snack food sector of the food industry.

Size-controlled green synthesis of silver nanoparticles mediated by gum ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia) and its biological activity

BackgroundGum ghatti is a proteinaceous edible, exudate tree gum of India and is also used in traditional medicine. A facile and ecofriendly green method has been developed for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from silver nitrate using gum ghatti (Anogeissus latifolia) as a reducing and stabilizing agent. The influence of concentration of gum and reaction time on the synthesis of nanoparticles was studied. UV–visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analytical techniques were used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles.ResultsBy optimizing the reaction conditions, we could achieve nearly monodispersed and size controlled spherical nanoparticles of around 5.7 ± 0.2 nm. A possible mechanism involved in the reduction and stabilization of nanoparticles has been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy.ConclusionsThe synthesized silver nanoparticles had significant antibacterial action on both the Gram classes of bacteria. As the silver nanoparticles are encapsulated with functional group rich gum, they can be easily integrated for various biological applications.

Soil organic carbon stock potential of shrubs, occupying natural Anogeissus latifolia forest in sub-tropical belt of Garhwal Himalaya

The soil organic carbon (SOC) stock in three pure shrub species was compared with the adjacent growing Anogeissus latifolia tree stand to understand the changes occurring in SOC stock as a consequence of degradation of A. latifolia forests. Among the shrubs, Rhus parviflora (168.00 ± 1.60 t ha-1) and Lantana camara (164.16 ± 2.08 t ha-1) showed higher values of SOC as compared to A. latifolia forest (161.28 ± 3.04 t ha-1). However, Carissa spinarum showed lower values (152.64 ± 2.24 t ha-1) of SOC compared to A. latifolia. The soils were dominated by sand particles in all shrubs and A. latifolia forest. Forest floor litter mass of R. parviflora and L. camara was 140.4 ± 10.3 g m-2 and 150.3 ± 9.23 g m-2, respectively which was higher compared to A. latifolia (98.8 ± 6.82 g m-2) forest. The litter mass of C. spinarum was the lowest 60.7 ± 6.0 g m-2 which has reflected lowest SOC stock. The water holding capacity of soil was recorded the highest (36.08 ± 4.57%) under R. parviflora and the lowest under L. camara (23.66 ± 8.65%). The higher amount of litter input enhanced the SOC stock in the soil. The shrub species are occupying the gaps created by villagers in the A. latifolia forest and subsequently the shrub species restoring the degraded forest areas from land sliding and soil erosions. Key words: Shrub, soil carbon stock, soil erosion, degradation.

Structural investigation of a glycoprotein from gum ghatti

The glycoprotein structure of gum ghatti was investigated. The covalent bonding between polysaccharides and proteins was firstly confirmed by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) using refractive index (RI) and UV detectors. Partial acid hydrolysis and enzymatic degradation were also utilized. Several structural fragments such as AraHex2-HexA-HexNAc, Hex4HexNAc2, AraHex4HexNAc, Hex10HexNAc and Hex4HexNAc-Asn were identified from MALDI-TOF spectrum; using 1D and 2D NMR spectra, the linkage site of amino acids and polysaccharides was determined as N-linked (Hex)n-GlcNAc-Asn. Combined with the polysaccharide structure obtained before, a glycoprotein structure model was proposed. It was composed of 1,6-linked galactose backbone, which were attached by numerous of sugar side chains and peptide chains.

Microwave assisted synthesis of polyacrylamide grafted gum ghatti and its application as flocculant

Polyacrylamide chains (PAM) were grafted onto the backbone of gum ghatti by microwave assisted method. The grafting of the PAM chains on the polysaccharide backbone was confirmed through intrinsic viscosity study, FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis (C, H & N) and SEM morphology study. The intrinsic viscosity of gum ghatti appreciably improved on grafting of PAM chains, thus resulting grafted product with potential application as superior viscosifier. Further, flocculation efficacy of the graft copolymer was studied initially in kaolin suspension and then in municipal wastewater through ‘Jar test’ procedure, toward possible application as flocculant for wastewater treatment.

Synthesis of Crosslinked Networks of Gum ghatti with Different Vinyl Monomer Mixtures and Effect of Ionic Strength of Various Cations on its Swelling Behavior

A series of pH, temperature, and electrical stimulus sensitive novel hydrogels of Gum ghatti (Gg) with vinyl monomer mixtures of acrylamide (AAm) with acrylic acid (AA), acrylonitrile (AN), and methacrylic acid (MAA) using potassium persulphate-ascorbic acid redox pair as an initiator and N,N’-methylene-bis-acrylamide (MBA) as a crosslinker was synthesized using a free radical polymerization process. Initially, different reaction parameters for the graft copolymerization and crosslinking of Gum ghatti with AAm and MBA were optimized. Afterwards, optimization of AA, AN, and MAA in combination with preoptimized AAm was carried out. Synthesized products were characterized by FT-IR, SEM, XRD, and TGA/DTA/DTG. Swelling behavior of hydrogels was investigated in deionized water as a function of time, temperature, and pH of swelling medium. Moreover, hydrogels have been found to exhibit cationic charge-dependent swelling in different salt solutions of Na+, Ba2+, Fe3+, and Sn4+. The order of swelling was found to be Na+>Ba2+>Fe3+>Sn4+.