Tragacanth Analysis Service
Unlocking the Secrets of Tragacanth with Expert Analysis
As a professional biology company, CD BioGlyco has a diverse range of Pharmaceutical Excipient Analysis solutions, and we offer our clients a multi-modal tragacanth analysis service. Tragacanth is a combination of water-soluble polysaccharides and non-water-soluble polysaccharides, presenting a white or yellowish-white powder or translucent flakes. Due to its special biological activity, tragacanth can be widely used as a pharmaceutical excipient in a variety of pharmaceutical preparations, such as creams, gels, and suspensions.
- Identification
- The samples to be identified are placed under a microscope after the addition of an appropriate amount of ZnCl2 iodine solution, and round or oval starch granules are present in tragacanth, with diameters ranging from 4 to 10 μm, occasionally up to 20 μm, and mostly in single granules.
- The sample to be identified and the tragacanth standard are unfolded using the same thin-layer chromatographic plate, and the positions of the spots on the chromatographic plate are compared. If the positions are the same, it means that the sample is tragacanth.
- The sample to be identified is wetted with ethanol and water is added in stages to form a homogeneous mucus. Then add water and barium hydroxide solution to the mucus. If there is a white flocculent precipitate, to which a small number of drops of dilute hydrochloric acid. If the precipitate dissolves, the sample is tragacanth.
- Viscosity
After adding potassium chloride and water to the tragacanth, it is stirred until it is completely and evenly dispersed and wetted. Next, a rotational viscometer is used to test the viscosity. - Foreign impurities
A solution of methanol and hydrochloric acid is heated to tragacanth. After some time, the residue is collected and washed with methanol. Afterward, it is dried at 110°C to a constant weight, leaving no more than 1.0% residue. - Microbiological limits
The microbiological counting method is used to test the number of aerobic bacteria contained in tragacanth. It is worth noting that the total number of aerobic bacteria should not exceed 1000 cfu per 1 g of tragacanth. In addition, the total number of molds and yeasts should not exceed 100 cfu per 1 g of tragacanth, and Escherichia coli should not be present.
Publication Data
Technology: Thermogravimetry (TG), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, Optical microscopy
Journal: Molecules
IF: 4.6
Published: 2022
Results: In this paper, the authors have researched the effect of storage conditions on the stability of tragacanths such as different temperatures (40, 50, 60, 70, and 80°C), UV irradiation times (30, 60, 90, and 120 min) and relative humidity (RH 45%, 65% and 75%) conditions. The authors conducted a series of experiments using TG, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and optical microscopy as research methods. The results of the research showed that the thermal decomposition of tragacanth starts at lower temperatures and undergoes a two-step decomposition. Also, tragacanth was not as sensitive as gum arabic to the storage conditions tested. Under the physical conditions tested, tragacanth was most sensitive to conditions of increased relative humidity in the environment.
Fig.1 TG isothermal curves of tragacanth storage. (Ramos & Broncel, 2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the applications of tragacanth?
The amount of tragacanth used is usually determined by the dosage form and the grade of the gum. In the pharmaceutical field, tragacanth is used as an emulsifier and suspending agent to facilitate the development and production of creams, gels, emulsions, etc. It is also used as a diluent in tablets. On the other hand, tragacanth can also be used in cosmetics and food. Furthermore, due to its high viscosity, tragacanth can be used as an emulsifier for polymer compounds in combination with gum arabic. - What is the composition of tragacanth?
Tragacanth is a natural substance consisting of a mixture of water-soluble and non-water-soluble polysaccharides. 60-70 percent of tragacanth comprises the non-water-soluble fraction. Hydrolysis of tragacanth sugar produces L-arose, L-fucose, D-xylose, D-galactose, and D-galacturonic acid. In addition, tragacanth contains small amounts of cellulose, starch, protein, and incineration residue.
Advantages
- Our service team has professional biotechnology knowledge, with rich experience in Pharmaceutical and Biological Analysis, and provides tailor-made tragacanth analysis solutions according to client needs.
- We have a comprehensive after-sales service system, which provides full support to our clients, including tragacanth sample processing, data analysis, report writing, and other aspects of the service.
- To ensure the highest standards of accuracy, reliability, and precision in our tragacanth analysis process, we always maintain strict quality assurance practices.
CD BioGlyco has an excellent team of researchers providing tragacanth analysis services by using a wealth of expertise, advanced methods, and diverse technologies. Through continuous learning, we are constantly improving our business capabilities to provide excellent scientific insights and technical support to our clients. Please contact us for more information.
Reference
- Ramos, P.; Broncel, M. Influence of storage conditions on the stability of gum arabic and tragacanth. Molecules. 2022, 27(5): 1510.
