Effect of Tamarind seed mucilage on rheological properties: evaluation of suspending properties

Abstract

Purpose: Natural gums are widely used in pharmaceuticals, food industry and cotton industry because of its easy availability, low cost and devoid of toxicity. Current study focuses on the extraction of gum from tamarind seed and subjected to toxicity studies for its safety. Rheological characters like thixotropy and viscosity of tamarind gum was investigated and compared with other natural gums.

Methods: Paracetamol I.P. suspensions were prepared using acacia, tragacanth, and tamarind gum as suspending agents. Comparative studies of suspending characters of natural gums were carried out.

Results: No toxic character was investigated. Tamarind gum was found to show a better thixotropic behavior and suspending property compared to tragacanth and acacia.

Conclusion: Above study revealed that tamarind gum can be a good source as pharmaceutical adjuvant specifically a suspending agent.