View source for Tamarind seed gum

[[File:tamarindseedf5.jpg|thumb|Tamarind seeds]]
== Description ==

A polysaccharide derived from the seeds of the tamarind tree, ''Tamarindus indica'', grown in India and southeast Asia but probably native to central Africa. Tamarind seeds contain about 65% [[gum|gum]], 15-20% [[protein|protein]], 6% [[oil|oil]], and 3% [[ash%20%28residue%29|ash]]. The carbohydrate portion contains [[arabinose|arabinose]], [[galactose|galactose]], [[xylose|xylose]], galacturonic acid, and glucuronic acid. The gum dissolves in hot water to form a viscous solution that is high in [[sugar|sugar]]. Tamarind gum is often used as a substitute for fruit [[pectin|pectin]] and as an inexpensive textile sizing agent. It has also been used as a spray consolidant for flaking paint (Agrawal, 1984).

== Synonyms and Related Terms ==

"''Tamarindus indica''; goma de semillas de tamarindo (Esp.); gomma di semi di tamarindo (It); Indian date    "

== Other Properties ==

Insoluble in cold water. Soluble in hot water.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="row"| CAS
| 39386-78-9
|}

== Additional Information ==

O.P. Agrawal, ''Conservation of Manuscripts and Paintings of Southeast Asia'', London: Butterworths,1984

== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==

* G.S.Brady, ''Materials Handbook'', McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971  Comment: p. 381

* John S. Mills, Raymond White, ''The Organic Chemistry of Museum Objects'', Butterworth Heineman, London, 2nd ed., 1994

* R. Newman, E. Farrell, 'House Paint Pigments', ''Paint in America '', R. Moss ed., Preservation Press, New York City, 1994

* Book and Paper Group, ''Paper Conservation Catalog'', AIC, 1984, 1989

* I.W. Cottrell, J.K. Baird, gums chapter



[[Category:Materials database]]