EXTRACTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GUM ISOLATED FROM ARAUCARIA HETEROPHYLLA

Objective: Nature has given ginormous resources to mankind since time immemorial. Amidst of various natural sources, products from plant origin endure more of commercial importance. Gums and resins are plant based reserves occupying a prime place among Non-Wood Forest Produce (NWFP). It is a most challenging aspect to isolate and characterise eco rich gums and resins from trees which can be widely used as a pharmaceutical aid in design of drug delivery system. Norfolk pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is an ornamental tree available abundantly in tropical and subtropical regions. Gum was obtained by extraction from the bark exudates of the tree. Method: The aim of the present study was to extract and characterise the gum obtained from Araucaria heterophylla. Phytochemical and physiochemical characteristics such as solubility, melting point, loss on drying, ash value, pH, swelling capacity, viscosity, particle size, shape and surface morphology, crystalline nature, flow property, bulk density, microbial contamination and in-vitro cytotoxic effect were determined. Results: Phytochemical evaluation showed the presence of reducing sugars and polysaccharides. The results of physicochemical characteristics and in-vitro cytotoxic studies suggest the viability of the gum to establish it as a pharmaceutical excipient in the design of drug delivery.