Natural mucilage as suspending agent

Abstract

In the present study was undertaken to evaluate the mucilage obtained from the calyx of flower of Hibiscus rosasinensis Linn as a suspending agent. A suspension of CaCO3 was prepared using 2 % w/v of hibiscus mucilage as suspending agent and it is evaluated for its stability using the parameters like, sedimentation volume, viscosity, redispersibility and pH. The suspending effect of hibiscus mucilage was compared with CaCO3 suspensions prepared using 2 % w/v of suspending agents such as acacia and tragacanth. The results obtained indicated that the hibiscus mucilage could be used as a suspending agent. It has low rate of sedimentation, high viscosity, slightly basic pH and is easily redispersible. These effects were comparable with that of the standard suspending agents like acacia and tragacanth. The mucilage isolated from the calyx of flower of Hibiscus rosasinensis can be used as a pharmaceutical adjuvant.