Comparative physicochemical and FTIR spectroscopic studies of exudate and purified forms of Moringa oleifera gum and Jhingan gum

This investigation focuses on emerging new least exploited exudate gum sources (Moringa oleifera and Jhingan) over established sources such as gum acacia, karaya gum, tragacanth gum, and non-plant sources. The study was carried out to compare exudate (raw) and purified forms of M. oleifera gum and Jhingan gum. The exudate gums were obtained from tree trunks and purified using propanol as solvent. The exudate (M_E and J_E) and purified forms (M_P and J_P) of M. oleifera gum and Jhingan gum were compared based on physicochemical parameters, color profiling, heavy elements, presence of phytochemicals, and FTIR analysis. The solubility, total ash, volatile matter, bulk density, tapped density, Hausner’s ratio, Compressibility index, pH value, acidity, alkalinity, angle of repose, swelling index, and viscosity were included as physicochemical parameters. No significant differences in physicochemical parameters were observed in exudate and purified forms of both the gums except few parameters. Both purified gums M_P and J_P were found to carry fewer heavy metals than their exudate form. Moringa gum (M_E and M_P) had more phytochemicals than corresponding forms of Jhingan gum. The FTIR spectra of M_E, M_P, J_E, and J_P showed characteristic functional groups, such as hydroxy compounds, polysaccharides, carboxylate groups, and halogen compounds. M. oleifera gum could be a potential option over Jhingan gum because of its superiority. However, utilization of both gums can be appreciable in their purified forms, free from impurities, dirt, dust, and debris.