Characterization and rheological behavior of neem gum (Azadirachta indica)

Abstract

Samples of neem gum (Azadirachta Indica) collected from three locations Kordofan, White Nile, and Khartoum states, Sudan) on (2015—2017). Were investigated. The result showed that moisture content was in the range of 11.2— 12.2%, Ash content 3.0—3.3%, pH 4.2 — 4.8, specific optical rotation -65.5 — -67 nitrogen content 4.8 — 5.2%, protein 30.2 — 31.3%, acid equivalent weight 1543 —1708, Total uronic acid 11.3 — 12.5 %, intrinsic viscosity 24 — 36 cm3g-1 and the number average molecular weight of the gum was 6.4x105 —12.0 x105 g/mol The sugar Composition was Arabinose% 14 — 22%, Galactose% 17—24%, Xylose% 3 — 4%, Rhammnose % 2 — 4%. The Cationic composition of gum is in order Mg> Na > Ca > K, Cu, Zn, P, As, Cd, but the Pb, Fe, Ni, Ch, were not found in the samples. The result of amino acid content of gum shows that seventeen amino acids were determined. Calorific value of the neem gum was 4.3Kcal/g. The result concluded that rheological studies indicate a Newtonian behavior of the gum solutions.