Enhancement of Gum Solubility by Single Process of Humidification and Drying (Granulation)

Abstract

Gum arabic is a complex, loose aggregate of sugars and hemicelluloses composed of Arabic acid nucleus connected with calcium, magnesium, potassium and sugars Arabinose, Galactose, and Rhamnose. It is found in mechanically ground or spray dried forms. The solubility varies between 2 h in the raw gum form and 20 min in spray dried form. This study tended to enhance the solubility by producing an instant soluble granulated form. The study was performed using atomized fluid bed drier. 50 kg of raw gum, subjected first to mechanical comminuting into powder, then treated with water by spraying at rate of 200 mL/min for 90 min. The inlet temperature was 70°C, and the outlet temperature was 40°C. The cabinet temperature was 40°C. Finally after water treatment process, the powder resized through Mesh size of 40 μm and the microbial test was done for the finished product. The solubility of the granulated instant soluble gum in room temperature was found to be less than 5 min compared to the spray dried form which is 20-30 min and 2 h for mechanical ground gum. The volume increased to three times compare to the mechanical form. It was concluded that granulation of gum under water spray significantly enhances the solubility and hence it is beneficial for uses in pharmaceutical technology. This study tended to produce a form of granulated gum which is easily soluble compared to the mechanically ground and spray dried forms.