Pharmacognosy of Acacia
Acacia Synonyms: Gum Arabic, Gum acacia, Babul and Gondu. Biological source: It consists of the dried gummy exudation obtained from the stem and branches of Acacia arabica Wild. (Acacia Senegal) Family : Leguminosae. Geographical source: It is found in Sudan, India, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Africa. Physical Characters: i. Form: Rounded ovoid tears. ii. Size: Variable. iii. Colour: Colourless to slight yellowish tint. iv. Fracture: Brittle. v. Fracture surface: Glossy. vi. Odour: Odourless. vii. Taste: Bland and mucilaginous. Chemical constituents: i. Polysaccharide Arabin (Mixture of calcium, magnesium and potassium salts of arabic acid). ii. Arabic acid on hydrolysis gives D-galactose, L-arabinose, L-rhamnose and D- glucoronic acid. iii. Also contain enzyme oxidase and peroxidase. Chemical tests: 1. Solubility: Soluble in water and insoluble in al