title: Extraction and characterization of artocarpus integer gum as pharmaceutical excipient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Natural polymers are widely used as excipients in pharmaceutical formulations. They are easily available, cheap and less toxic as compared to synthetic polymers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study involves the extraction and characterization of kathal (Artocarpus integer) gum as a pharmaceutical excipient.
  
  
  METHODS
  Water was used as a solvent for extraction of the natural polymer. Yield was calculated with an aim to evaluate the efficacy of the process. The product was screened for the presence of Micrometric properties, and swelling index, flow behavior, surface tension, and viscosity of natural polymers were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using a water based extraction method, the yield of gum was found to be 2.85%. Various parameters such as flow behavior, organoleptic properties, surface tension, viscosity, loss on drying, ash value and swelling index together with microscopic studies of particles were done to characterize the extracted gum. The result showed that extracted kathal gum exhibited excellent flow properties. The gum was investigated for purity by carrying out chemical tests for different phytochemical constituents and only carbohydrates were found to be present. It had a good swelling index (13 ± 1). The pH and surface tension of the 1% gum solution were found to be 6 ± 0.5 and 0.0627 J/m2, respectively. The ash values such as total ash, acid insoluble ash, and water soluble ash were found to be 18.9%, 0.67% and 4% respectively. Loss on drying was 6.61%. The extracted gum was soluble in warm water and insoluble in organic solvents. The scanning electron micrograph (SEM) revealed rough and irregular particles of the isolated polymer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the evaluated properties showed that kathal-derived gum has acceptable pH and organoleptic properties and can be used as a pharmaceutical excipient to formulate solid oral dosage forms.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India.
authors: Uzma
authors: U
authors: Farooq
authors: Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India.
authors: Rishabha
authors: R
authors: Malviya
authors: Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida, India.
authors: Pramod Kumar
authors: PK
authors: Sharma
mesh_terms: D031622:Artocarpus / Q000737:chemistry*; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000032:analysis; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D005079:Excipients / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry*; D053149:Plant Gums / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000737:chemistry*; D012212:Rheology; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013500:Surface Tension; D014783:Viscosity; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D005079:Excipients; D010936:Plant Extracts; D053149:Plant Gums; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water