Hierarchy classification:

1. top of the aat hierarchies
2. Materials Facet
3. Materials (hierarchy name)
4. materials (substances)
5. [materials by composition]
6. organic material
7. gum (material)

Anotations

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.