GUM TRAGACANTH Meaning and
Definition
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Gum Tragacanth is a natural plant gum commonly derived from the sap of certain species of Astragalus, a genus of legumes. It is primarily obtained from Astragalus gummifer or Astragalus adscendens, which are native to the Middle East and some parts of Asia.
The gum is characterized by its water-soluble and slimy nature, making it widely used in various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles. In the food industry, Gum Tragacanth serves as a thickening and stabilizing agent, enhancing texture and providing a smoother consistency to products like ice cream, sauces, beverages, and confectionery items.
Due to its excellent emulsifying properties, it is also utilized in the pharmaceutical industry as an excipient in tablets and capsules, helping bind and hold the active ingredients together.
Gum Tragacanth is a valuable ingredient in the cosmetics industry as well. It is used in skincare and haircare products for its excellent emulsifying and moisturizing properties, making it an effective component in creams, lotions, shampoos, and gels.
Additionally, Gum Tragacanth finds widespread usage in the textile industry as a sizing agent. It acts as a binder between fibers, improving their cohesion and facilitating yarn formation during the weaving process.
Overall, Gum Tragacanth is a versatile natural gum that offers various functional properties, including thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, and binding. Its widespread applications in different sectors make it an indispensable ingredient in many commercial products.
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A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for GUM TRAGACANTH
- fum tragacanth
- vum tragacanth
- bum tragacanth
- hum tragacanth
- yum tragacanth
- tum tragacanth
- gym tragacanth
- ghm tragacanth
- gjm tragacanth
- gim tragacanth
- g8m tragacanth
- g7m tragacanth
- gun tragacanth
- guk tragacanth
- guj tragacanth
- gum rragacanth
- gum fragacanth
- gum gragacanth
- gum yragacanth
- gum 6ragacanth
Etymology of GUM TRAGACANTH
The word "Gum Tragacanth" is derived from a combination of two words: "gum" and "tragacanth".
1. Gum: The term "gum" refers to a sticky, viscous substance derived from plants. It comes from the Middle English word "gumme", which was borrowed from the Old French word "gomme", meaning "resin" or "gum". The Old French term was derived from the Latin word "gummi" or "gumma", which also meant "resin". This Latin term ultimately traces back to the Greek word "kommi", denoting the resin of the mastic tree.
2. Tragacanth: The word "tragacanth" is a combination of the Greek words "tragos" (meaning "he-goat") and "akantha" (meaning "thorn" or "spine").
