ORIGIN
Gum Karaya (gum sterculia) is the gum-exudation, hardened by air,
obtained by the incision of the stems and branches of Sterculia Urens and others
species of the Sterculiaceae family (Tomentosa, Setigera).The harvesting areas
are mostly situated in west Africa and India.
DESCRIPTION
Gum Karaya is a high molecular-weight acelytated polysaccharide composed
of galactose, rhamnose, glucuronic and galacturonic acids. The molecular weight is between 5
000 000 and 8 000 000.
Gum Karaya of superior grades comes in tears of variable sizes , pale
yellow, pearly, translucent and striated. Average grades have a yellow or pink
colour, while low grades are brown. |
