182 POWDERED VEGETABLE DRUGS 



2. (Fig. 2.) ACACIA. Gum Arabic. U. S. 



Acacien Gummi, Arabisches Gummi, G. Gomme arabique du 

 Senegal, Fr. 



The dried brittle glassy gummy exudation from Acacia Senegal 

 Willd., Mimosacese. 



A meal. Should not be lumpy or in sticky masses. 



White to nearly snow white. 



Nearly odorless. 



Mucilaginous taste, sticky. 



Shows no structure under the microscope. Reduce some of the 

 gum to fine powder and dissolve about five grams in 10 parts water; 

 centrifugalize for a short time and examine the sediment for impurities 

 which are usually present, consisting of trace of starch, some dirt and 

 bits of vegetable tissue. 



Ash should not exceed 3.6 per cent. 



India gum is the most common adulterant of gum acacia. Old gum 

 acacia turns yellowish amber color and increases in brittleness. The 

 impurities are generally negligible and should not exceed 1 per cent. 



