TARA GUM - A SAFE AND NATURAL BIOPOLYMER

Deepthi Mohanty1, Ch.v.v. Rahul2

1,2
Department of Chemical Engineering, Gayatri Vidya Parishad College of Engineering (A),
Madhurawada, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh-530048

Corresponding Author: deepthimohanty15@gmail.com

Abstract:
Biopolymers are polymers that are developed from living organisms. The name itself indicates that it
is a bio-degradable polymer. These have been present on the earth for billions of years and are older
than synthetic polymers such as plastic. Now a days, these have been found wide acceptance in
various industries on account of its distinguished environment friendly properties. Based on
Applications areas biopolymers can be broadly segmented into packaging, bottles, fibres, agriculture
automotive and food processing. (Caesalpinia spinosa (Molina) Kuntze), commonly known as tara, is
a leguminous shrub native of Peru which is cultivated as an ornamental plant because of its colourful
flowers and inflorescences. It contains polysaccharide derivatives of mannose (neutral mucilage). C.
spinosa produces a galactomannan (Tara gum) soluble with an intermediate galactose–mannose ratio
of locust bean gum and guar gum. It is obtained by crushing the seed endosperm. In this paper we
want to throw some light on its Botanical Aspects, Applications, Method of Production etc.

Keywords: Biopolymer, gaur gum, polysaccharide, endosperm.