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Solid State Characterization of ＂Anacardium Occidentale＂ Gum
並列摘要
This study sought to characterize ＂Anacardium occidentale＂ gum (cashew gum-CG) from Nigeria. Microbial load on the purified gum and acute toxicity of the gum on rabbits were determined using standard procedures. The elemental content of extracted gum was determined using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) and the amount of inorganic elements was evaluated by determining the total ash content and acid insoluble ash. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), XRay Powder Diffractometry (XRPD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and swelling index test were employed to further characterize the gum. Results revealed that no enteric or fungal microbe was present in the extracted gum; and the LD_(50) of the gum in rabbits is greater than 5000 mg/Kg. The ash content and acid insoluble ash of the purified gum were 1.5 and 0.3% respectively, while EDS revealed only Ca as the inorganic element present in the gum. DSC revealed a melting point of 291.5℃; XRPD showed no sharp peak; FTIR showed characteristic bands at 710 to 1040 per cm, 1643, 2901, 3208 and 3379 per cm; SEM revealed that the gum is amorphous; and the purified gum did not swell in water. It is therefore evident from this work that ＂Anacardium occidentale＂ gum of Nigerian origin possesses some characteristics that are markedly different from those of Brazilian or Ghanaian origin.