EMULSIFYING PROPERTIES OF PROSOPIS-AFRICANA GUM

Prosopis gum has been evaluated as an emulsifying agent. Paraffin oil- in-water (o/w) emulsions having a Feed oil-to-water ratio were prepare d using concentrations of prosopis gum ranging from 2 to 3.5% w/v. Emu lsions containing equivalent concentrations of acacia were also prepar ed for the purpose of comparison. All the emulsions prepared were stor ed at room temperature (25 degrees C) and studied for stability at var ious time intervals for eight weeks. In assessing the emulsifying prop erties of the prosopis gum, the creaming rate, globule size analysis a nd theological properties of the emulsions were evaluated. The effects of pH, centrifugation, electrolytes and temperature on the stability of the emulsions were investigated. The results of these investigation s show that prosopis gum has emulsifying properties and could be used to formulate pharmaceutical preparations requiring this property.