A study of the emulsifying properties of binary mixtures of Colocasia esculenta and Abelmoschus esculenta gums

Abstract

A binary mixture of the gums extracted from Abelmoschus esculenta (okro) and Colocasia esculenta (Cocoyam) has been evaluated for its emulsifying properties. The gums were extracted by precipitation using acetone and subjected to some physico-chemical studies. They were used both singly and in a binary mixture, as emulsifying agent in the formulation of various batches of Arachis oil emulsion. Stability studies were carried out on the formulations using parameters like creaming rate, cracking height, globule size growth and distribution, rheological changes, and influence of temperature. The physico-chemical properties confirmed the identities of the extracted hydrocolloids. Whereas okro gum possessed a better emulsifying characteristic than cocoyam gum, a combination of the gums led to an improvement in the emulsifying behaviour of cocoyam gum. Cocoyam gum can thus be used in admixture with okro gum to improve the emulsifying properties of the later.

Nig. J. Pharm. Res. 3(1) 2004: 49-55