In this work the effect of irvingia gum on the suspending properties of tragacanth in zinc oxide suspension has been investigated. The gum of Irvingia gabonensis was extracted by macerated and characterized using standard procedures. Batches of zinc oxide suspension were formulated with varying ratios of tragacanth and Irvingia gabonensis gums as suspending agents. The pH, sedimentation ratio, effect of added electrolytes was studied on the product for 56 days. Thus, the effect of tragacanth gum on irvingia gum gave a good result. A combination of tragacanth gum with irvingia gum is, therefore, encouraged at 0.3: 1.7 combinations.

Keywords: Tragacanth gum, Irvingia gum, Suspending properties, Zinc oxide

Plant Product Research Journal Vol. 12 2008: pp. 1-3