Cationic composition and the tannin content of five gums from Venezuelan Mimosaceae species

The growing interest in polysaccharides from source others than Acacia senegal has fostered research on polysaccharides from Venezuelan Mimosaceae spp. An analytical determination of cationic composition and polyphenol and tannin contents have been made of gum specimens from Acacia macracantha, Acacia tortuosa, Acacia glomerosa, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Samanea saman. Calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium were the four major components of the ash composition of these Mimosaceae gums. In addition to these data, chromium, lead and vanadium were not detected at limit of detection (1 ppm) in any of the samples. The total tannin contents are comparable to other Acacia gums but the value of A. glomerosa is very low. Condensed tannins are very low in all the gum samples studied. This parameter, has not, to date, been reported for any gum. The results suggest that A. glomerosa may be useful for the food industry while the other studied gums may have some technological application. (C) 2003 Elsevier science Ltd. All rights reserved.