E 416 KARAYA-GUM

Commission Directive 98/86/EC

Synonyms Katilo

Kadaya
Gum sterculia
Sterculia
Karaya, gum karaya
Kullo
Kuterra

Definition Karaya gum is a dried exudation from the stems and branches of natural

strains of: Sterculia urens Roxburgh and other species of Sterculia (family Sterculiaceae) or from Cochlospermum gossypium A.P. De Candolle or other species of Cochlospermum (family Bixaceae). It consists mainly of high molecular weight acetylated polysaccharides, which on hydrolysis yield galactose, rhamnose, and galacturonic acid, together with minor amounts of glucuronic acid

Einecs 232-539-4

Description Karaya gum occurs in tears of variable size and in broken irregular pieces having a characteristic semi-crystalline appearance. It is pale yellow to pinkish brown in colour, translucent and horny. Powdered karaya gum is a pale grey to pinkish brown. The gum has a distinctive odour of acetic acid

Identification

A. Solubility Insoluble in ethanol

B. Swelling in ethanol solution Karaya gum swells in 60 % ethanol distinguishing it from other gums

Purity

Loss on drying Not more than 20 % (105 °C, 5 hours)

Total ash Not more than 8 %

Acid insoluble ash Not more than 1 %

Acid insoluble matter Not more than 3 %

Volatile acid Not less than 10 % (as acetic acid)

Starch Not detectable

Arsenic Not more than 3 mg/kg

Lead Not more than 5 mg/kg

Mercury Not more than 1 mg/kg

Cadmium Not more than 1 mg/kg

Heavy metals (as Pb) Not more than 20 mg/kg

Salmonella spp. Negative in 10 g

E. coli Negative in 5 g