74 PHILIPPINE RESINS, GUMS, AND OILS 



Chicle, now the principal substance used in the manufacture of chewing- 

 gum, and derived from Achras Sapota L. (Sapota Achras Mill., the Sabo- 

 dilla, Sapotilla, White sapota, Naseberry, or Ya, of tropical America, where 

 this tree supplies one of the most important edible fruits. Although the 

 substance is collected in many parts of Mexico and Central America, the 

 principal sources of supply are in Yucatan. The milk-juice is obtained 

 from incisions made in the bark, performed with great care and by ex- 

 perienced persons. Tapping may occur once in 3 years without great 

 danger to the life of the tree. The raw milk is boiled and then allowed 

 to harden in brick-shaped moulds. If carefully prepared, it usually turns 

 out of a white or whitish color, though that of some trees is said to turn 

 out red in any case, a result which will also occur if the ordinary milk be 

 overcooked. If undercooked, it retains a large percentage of water, pro- 

 portionately reducing its value. Various devices for adulterating sub- 

 stances of this class are resorted to. Chicle gum of good quality is whitish, 

 of firm, tenacious, somewhat elastic consistency, yet may be crumbled 

 between the fingers; somewhat aromatic and nearly tasteless. It becomes 

 plastic on chewing. Examined by Prochozka and Endemann, 75 per cent 

 was found to be a resin, 9 per cent calcium oxalate (with traces of 

 magnesium sulphate) . 



Concerning gum chicle, Hyde * states that : 



* * * The best grades are nearly white and clean, but, if overheated, 

 a red gum is produced. Consists of an oxidized hydrocarbon, closely related 

 to caoutchouc. Softens in the mouth, and is tasteless but aromatic when 

 heated. Sp. gr. 1.05. Soluble in chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, benzine, 

 and somewhat in alcohol. 



Uses. — Transmission belts, dental surgery, substitute for gutta percha, 

 and more especially for chewing-gum. 



According to Rogers,! the trees yield about six to eight pounds 

 of gum. Most of the chicle imported into the United States is 

 used in making chewing gum. For this purpose, washed and 

 dried chicle is mixed with flavoring materials and fragrant oils. 



Dannerth $ gives detailed methods for analyzing the crude 

 gum. An idea of its composition may be obtained from the 

 following figures (Dannerth) showing the analysis of a sample 

 from Yucatan : 



Per cent. 



Aceton-soluble matter (resins).... 40.00 



Gutta (and carbohydrates) 17.40 



Proteins 0.60 



Sand and foreign matter 2.30 



Water 35.00 



Mineral matter (ash) 4.70 



* Hyde, F. S., Solvents, oils, gums, waxes and allied substances (1913), 

 page 41. 



t Rogers, A., Industrial chemistry (1915), page 722. 

 t Dannerth, F., Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, Vol- 

 ume 9 (1917), page 679. 



