COMPOSITION AND PROPERTIES OF ALBIZIA LEBBECK GUM EXUDATE

An analytical study has been made of six gum specimens from Albizia le bbeck, Leguminosae. Galactose, mannose, arabinose, glucuronic acid and its 4-O-alpha-methyl analogue are present in all the specimens studie d. Rhamnose was not detected according to sugar analysis and spectral data. The absence of this sugar, the high acidity and the relatively l ow limit viscosity number contrast with the values reported previously for one African sample of A. lebbeck. The lead content is much higher than that recorded for other Albizia gums. C-13-NMR spectrum of this gum, in deuterium oxide, shows good resolution.