Kaolin

Synonym:

English: China clay, White clay, Porcelain clay, Argilla, Bolus alba, Terra alba

Biological Source:

Derived from the weathering of rocks rich in kaolinite, such as granite, and is found in large deposits worldwide.

Family:

-

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Kaolinite (Al₂Si₂O₅(OH)₄) - the main component of kaolin, accounting for up to 95% of its composition.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Quartz (SiO₂), Feldspar, Mica, Illite

Uses:

• Kaolin is used to treat diarrhea by adsorbing toxins and bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Kaolin is used in face masks and skincare products for its absorbent and exfoliating properties.
• Kaolin is used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations to improve flowability and compressibility of powders.

Lanolin

Synonym:

English: Wool wax, Wool grease

Biological Source:

Derived from the sebaceous glands of sheep (Ovis aries) and other wool-bearing animals.

Family:

Bovidae

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Esters of sterols (lanosterol, cholesterol), Fatty acids (mainly lanolin acid, stearic acid, oleic acid), Alcohols (mainly cholesterol, lanolin alcohol)
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Hydrocarbons, Triglycerides, Wax esters, Squalene, Free fatty acids

Uses:

• Emollient: Lanolin is used as an emollient in various topical formulations to moisturize and soften the skin.
• Wound healing: It can be used in ointments and creams to aid in the healing of minor cuts, burns, and skin irritations.
• Pharmaceutical excipient: Lanolin can be used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations to improve the texture and stability of ointments and creams.
• Dermatological treatments: It is used in the formulation of medicated creams and ointments for conditions like eczema and dermatitis.

Beeswax

Synonym:

English: Cera alba (White wax), Cera flava (Yellow wax)

Biological Source:

Derived from the wax glands of honeybees (Apis mellifera) and other related species.

Family:

Apidae

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Esters of fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid, oleic acid, and others with long-chain alcohols like myricyl palmitate), Hydrocarbons (mainly alkanes)
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Free fatty acids (mainly palmitic acid, oleic acid, and others), Alcohols (mainly triacontanol, hexacosanol, and others), Hydroxy acids, Sterols, Pigments (such as carotenoids - in yellow wax)

Uses:

• Topical ointments and creams: Beeswax is used as a base or stiffening agent/emulsifier in various pharmaceutical formulations, providing texture and stability.
• Lip balms and lipsticks: It is a common ingredient in lip care products due to its emollient and protective properties.
• Wound healing: Aid in the healing of minor cuts, burns, and skin irritations (as part of formulations).
• Dental products: It is used in some dental products like dental floss and orthodontic wax.
• Candle making, Polishes

Acacia

Synonym:

English: Gum arabic, Indian gum, Babul (Hindi), Acacia gum

Biological Source:

Derived from the dried gummy exudate of various species of Acacia trees, including Acacia senegal and Acacia arabica (now *Vachellia nilotica*).

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Polysaccharides (arabinogalactans) - the main component of gum arabic, accounting for up to 85% of its composition. Glycoproteins, Calcium, magnesium, and potassium salts
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Sugars (such as glucose, rhamnose, and galactose), Amino acids, Phenolic compounds, Minerals (such as iron, zinc, and manganese)

Uses:

• Excipient: Acacia gum is used as a pharmaceutical excipient in tablet formulations (binder, disintegrant) and suspensions/emulsions (suspending/emulsifying agent).
• Emulsifier and stabilizer: It is used in oral suspensions and emulsions to stabilize and improve the consistency of the formulation.
• Demulcent: Acacia gum can be used as a demulcent to soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes in the throat and gastrointestinal tract.
• Herbal medicine: Acacia gum is used in traditional herbal medicine for its potential medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
• Food industry (stabilizer, thickener)

Tragacanth

Synonym:

English: Gum tragacanth
Hindi: Gond katira
Marathi: Katira gond

Biological Source:

Derived from the dried exudate of various species of Astragalus plants, primarily Astragalus gummifer and Astragalus adscendens.

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Polysaccharides (tragacanthic acid or bassorin - swells in water; tragacanthin - water-soluble) - accounting for its properties. Arabinogalactan proteins, Calcium, magnesium, and potassium salts
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Sugars (such as arabinose, galactose, and xylose), Amino acids, Resins, Tannins

Uses:

• Excipient: Tragacanth gum is used as a pharmaceutical excipient (suspending agent, emulsifying agent, binder, thickening agent).
• Demulcent: It is used in oral suspensions and lozenges to soothe and protect irritated mucous membranes in the throat and gastrointestinal tract.
• Topical applications: Tragacanth gum can be used in ointments and creams for its emulsifying and thickening properties.
• Herbal medicine: Tragacanth gum is used in traditional herbal medicine for its potential medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects.

Sodium Alginate

Synonym:

English: Algin, Alginic acid sodium salt, Sodium alginic salt

Biological Source:

Alginates are naturally present in brown seaweed cell walls. Commercial alginates are mainly extracted from species of Laminaria, Macrocystis.

Family:

Phaeophyceae (Class, not Family)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Sodium salts of alginic acid (sodium alginate) - the main component of sodium alginate, accounting for its structure and properties. (Polymer of Mannuronic acid and Guluronic acid)
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Mannuronic acid, Guluronic acid (as monomers/residues), Other monosaccharides (such as glucose, mannose, and xylose), Minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium)

Uses:

• Excipient: Sodium alginate is used as a pharmaceutical excipient in various formulations, including tablets (disintegrant, binder), capsules, and suspensions (thickener, stabilizer), to improve stability and controlled release properties.
• Wound dressings: It can be used in the formulation of alginate dressings for the management of moderate to heavily exuding wounds (forms a gel).
• Dental applications: Sodium alginate is used in dental impression materials for making accurate dental molds.
• Drug delivery systems: It is used in the development of controlled-release drug delivery systems and as a matrix for encapsulating drugs.
• Food industry (thickener, gelling agent)

Agar

Synonym:

Agar-agar, Kanten (Japanese), China grass

Biological Source:

Derived from various species of red seaweed, primarily from the genera Gelidium and Gracilaria.

Family:

Gelidiaceae / Gracilariaceae (Families corresponding to source genera)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Polysaccharides (Agarose - gelling fraction; Agaropectin - non-gelling fraction) - accounting for its properties.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Other polysaccharides (such as carrageenan - potentially if source is mixed), Minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium)

Uses:

• Culture media: Agar is used in microbiology laboratories as a solidifying agent for culture media to grow and isolate microorganisms.
• Pharmaceutical excipient: It can be used as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations (laxative, suspending agent, tablet disintegrant) to provide gel-forming properties and controlled release of drugs.
• Wound dressings: Agar-based dressings can be used for the management of wounds with moderate exudate, providing a moist environment for wound healing.
• Dental applications: Agar hydrocolloids are used in dental impression materials for making accurate dental molds.
• Food industry (gelling agent, thickener)

Guar Gum

Synonym:

Cluster bean gum, Cyamopsis gum, Guar flour, Gavar gum, Gwar gum

Biological Source:

Derived from the endosperm of the seeds of the guar plant (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba).

Family:

Fabaceae (Leguminosae)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Galactomannans - the main component of guar gum, consisting of a linear chain of mannose units with galactose side branches.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Proteins, Lipids, Fiber, Minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium)

Uses:

• Excipient: Guar gum is used as a pharmaceutical excipient in various formulations, including tablets (binder, disintegrant), capsules, and suspensions (thickener, stabilizer), to improve stability, texture, and controlled release properties.
• Binder: It can be used as a binder in tablet formulations to improve tablet hardness and integrity.
• Thickener: Guar gum is used as a thickening agent in liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical formulations, such as syrups and gels.
• Controlled-release drug delivery: It can be used in the development of controlled-release drug delivery systems to provide sustained drug release.
• Food industry (thickener, stabilizer)

Gelatin

Synonym:

Gelatine, Jello, Collagen hydrolysate, Collagen peptides, Edible gelatin

Biological Source:

Derived from the partial hydrolysis of collagen-rich tissues, such as skin, bones, and connective tissues of animals, primarily from bovine (cattle) and porcine (pigs) sources. Gelatin can also be derived from fish (fish gelatin) and poultry (chicken gelatin).

Family:

Not applicable (Animal source)

Chemical Constituents:

• Major Chemical Constituents: Collagen (hydrolyzed proteins) - the main component of gelatin, accounting for its gel-forming properties. Collagen is a fibrous protein composed of amino acids, primarily glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline.
• Minor Chemical Constituents: Minerals (such as calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus), Trace amounts of other proteins and amino acids, Water

Uses:

• Capsule shells: Gelatin is used in the production of hard and soft gelatin capsules to encapsulate pharmaceutical formulations.
• Coatings: It can be used as a film-forming agent for tablet coatings to improve swallowability and mask unpleasant tastes.
• Wound dressings: Gelatin-based dressings/sponges can be used for the management of wounds, providing a moist environment for wound healing and hemostasis.
• Nutritional supplements: Marketed as dietary supplements for joint health and skin benefits.
• Binder, Thickener, Stabilizer in pharmaceuticals and food
• Microencapsulation