Abstract

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The work reports the physicochemical properties of gum exudates from two Combretaceae tree species (Terminalia avicennioides (TA) and Anogeissus latifolia (AL)) determined by standard methods. The gum exudates exhibited differences in physicochemical qualities. The physicochemical properties of the gum were in the following ranges: moisture (11.3 - 11.5%); swelling capacity at 30oC (11 - 13%); pH (4.34 - 5.24); melting temperature (218- 242oC); total ash (3.30- 3.54%); nitrogen (0.70 - 0.71%); protein (4.38 - 4.46%) and ash content (0.53 - 0.60). The two gum samples did not contain tannin and fibre. The gum samples had high proportion of Ca and contained Ni, Pb and Cd at levels below the maximum permissible limits. The physicochemical parameters obtained for TA and AL compare well with those reported in previous studies on other gums. This signals the need for exploitation of the exudates for potential industrial applications

Keywords: Terminalia avicennioides, Anogeissus latifolia, physicochemical properties, gums