Production of Gum from Cashew tree Latex.

Abstract

This research is aimed at producing gum from cashew tree latex, which can act as substitute for gum Arabic. This method used involve drying and reduction of the exudates gum, sieving of the gum to remove impurities, dissolution of the gum in distilled water, filtration to remove polysaccharide waste and finally concentration and stability of the gum. Glycerine, starch and zinc oxide are some of the additives used in stabilizing the gum. The pH and viscosity on addition of various percentage concentration of stabilizing agent were determined. Gum of the best quality was obtained with viscosity and pH of 4.52 Ns/m2 and 4.2 respectively; this is because the natural pH of gum from Acacia Senegal ranges between 3.9 - 4.9. The gum can be used as an alternative for synthetic adhesive used presently for stamps and envelopes.