CASSIA-FISTULA (AMALTAS) SEED - A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF COMMERCIAL GUM

Cassia fistula Linn seeds (Amaltas), are found in abundance in India. Endosperm of seeds (50-55%), having water soluble gum, were separated by mechanical means. Different grades of gum were obtained from separated endosperm through grinding by rolling mills (yield 32-44%) and subjected to viscosity behaviour studies at different conditions of concentration, shear rates, temperature, time and pH. The gum was interacted with other polysaccharide i.e. Carob, Tara, HP Guar, CM Guar and Xanthan at 1.0 and 2.0 per cent concentrations. The results indicate that Amaltas seed gum possesses non-ionic properties comparable to other commercial galactomannans and it could be utilized for industrial purposes.