Physicochemical properties, biological properties and applications of gum tragacanth-a review

Abstract

Gum tragacanth (GT) is an anionic polymer with a high molecular weight. GT has drawn much attention due to its being renewable, accessible, reasonably affordable, non-allergenic, non-carcinogenic, non-toxic, and eco-friendly nature. The aforementioned characteristics make GT an essential polysaccharide that presents tremendous opportunities for useful applications in wastewater treatment, the shelf-life extension of agri-food products, green chemistry, health, and other industrial settings. This present review, therefore, focuses on structure and chemical composition of gum tragacanth, its production, collection, properties, marketing, and application.

Keywords

• Gum tragacanth
• Physicochemical properties
• Biological properties
• Collection
• Applications