Phytochemical, toxicological and viscosity studies of cashew gum and its dispersions

Abstract

The exudate polysaccharide from Anacardium occidentale L. obtained in Nigeria were investigated for their phytochemical, safety and rheological properties. Acid hydrolysed samples were found to contain in various
proportions galactose, glucose, xylose, rhamnose and ribose sugars. Swiss albino mice were used to investigate the safety or otherwise of using cashew gum (CG) in foods and systemic medicine. Results obtained showed the gum to be non-toxic up to an oral dose of 5 g/kg body weight. Continuous shear behaviours of the mucilages of CG were compared with those of acacia gum (AG). Results obtained showed both gums to exhibit shear-thinning non- Newtonian flow characteristics, with a trend of increasing viscosity with increase in concentration. Changes in pH
were found to show little effect on the viscosity of both gums while a direct correlation was noticed between increase in temperature and decrease in viscosity