gum karaya

Scope note: Gummy exudate from various species of the genus Sterculia, notably from S. urens, a tree native to central and northern India. It occurs as tears of variable size and of a somewhat crystalline appearance, translucent, pale yellow, with a slightly acetic odor and a mucilaginous, slightly acetic taste. The gum is insoluble in alcohol, but swells in water to form a gel; it forms an extremely strong adhesive with small amounts of water. It is used as a dye thickener, textile coating, emulsifier, paper fiber binder, a base in marbling paper, medical adhesive, a denture adhesive, a thickener and emulsifier in foods, and as a laxative. It is also used to adulterate gum tragacanth due to their similar physical characteristics. Gum karaya has been available commercially only since 1920.

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