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 prepared using concentrations of prosopis gum ranging from 2 to 3.5% w/v. Emulsions containing equivalent concentrations of acacia were also prepared for the purpose of comparison. All the emulsions prepared were stored at room temperature (25 degrees C) and studied for stability at various time intervals for eight weeks. In assessing the emulsifying properties of the prosopis gum, the creaming rate, globule size analysis and 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 investigations show that prosopis gum has emulsifying properties and could be used to formulate pharmaceutical preparations requiring this property.