TRAGACANTH

Tragacanth is a natural plant gum (polysaccharide exudate) obtained from the dried sap of several species of the genus Astragalus, especially Astragalus gummifer and related species. 
Tragacanth is used mainly as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, suspending agent, and binding agent in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications because it forms highly viscous, stable colloidal solutions in water even at low concentrations.
Tragacanth is also known as gum tragacanth or E413 in the food additive system.

CAS Number: 9000-65-1
Molecular Weight: 840000
EINECS Number: 232-552-5

Synonyms: Gum Tragacanth, Astracantha adanica gum, Astracantha gummifera gum, Astragalus adanicus gum, Astragalus adpressus gum, Astragalus erianthus gum, Astragalus gummifer resin, Astragalus noemiae gum, DTXSID2021369, E-413, FEMA No. 3079, Goat thorn bush resin, Gum tragacanth milkvetch gum, Gum tragacanth milkvetch resin, INS NO.413, INS-413, RefChem:922600, Tragacanth, Tragacanth Gum, Tragacanth milkvetch resin, Tragacanth Gum, Tragacantha eriantha gum, Tragacantha gummifera gum, Tragacantha trojana gum, 232-552-5, 2944357O2O, 9000-65-1, Astragalus gummifer, Goat's thorn, Gum Shiraz, HOG Gum, Shiraz gum, Tragtex R, Gum tragacanth power;TRAGACANTH GUM (ASTRAGALUS SPP.);Astragalus gum;Tragant gum;GUM SHIRAZ;SHIRAZ GUM;TRAGACANTH GUM;ASTRAGALUS GUMMIFER GUM

Tragacanth improves viscosity control and formulation stability.
Tragacanth is a complex mixture of polysaccharides, mainly composed of two fractions: tragacanthin (water-soluble) and bassorin (swells in water but does not fully dissolve).
This unique structure gives it both strong thickening and stabilizing properties.

Tragacanth improves rheological performance and texture control.
Tragacanth appears as white to yellowish, flaky or ribbon-like dried resin pieces, which swell significantly in water to form a gel-like or viscous colloidal solution.
It is odorless or slightly characteristic in smell and stable under dry conditions.

Tragacanth improves handling and long-term storage stability.
Tragacanth acts as a hydrocolloid, meaning it binds water and increases viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, prevents sedimentation, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid systems.
Tragacanth is especially valued because it remains stable over a wide pH range.

Tragacanth improves emulsion stability and formulation robustness.
Tragacanth is best described as a natural plant-derived hydrocolloid gum used to thicken, stabilize, emulsify, and improve texture in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and technical formulations.

Tragacanth is the dried exudate from several species of Astragalus (A. gummifer Labillardiere, or other Asiatic species of Astragalus), a shrub that grows wild in mountainous regions of the Middle East, particularly Iran. 
The gum is obtained by making incisions in the taproots of the plant; to a lesser extent, the branches also are tapped. 
The gum exudate is in the form of curled ribbons or flakes, which become horny on drying. 

Collections are made by hand in May to October and are sorted, graded, packed and shipped. 
The processor then further grades, cleans, mills and blends the gum, and sells it in the form of ribbons, flakes, granules or powder.
Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern legumes of the genus Astragalus, including A. adscendens, A. gummifer, A. brachycalyx, and A. tragacantha. 

Some of these species are known collectively under the common names "goat's thorn" and "locoweed". 
Tragacanth is sometimes called Shiraz gum, shiraz, gum elect or gum dragon.
The name derives from the Greek words tragos (meaning "goat") and akantha ("thorn"). Iran is the biggest producer of this gum.

Tragacanth is also important in rheology (flow behavior) control, because it doesn’t just increase viscosity—it produces a non-Newtonian, shear-thinning system, meaning it becomes less viscous when stirred or shaken but thickens again when left at rest.
This is especially useful for products that need to pour easily but stay stable in storage.
Tragacanth improves flow control and product stability.

Tragacanth works mainly by increasing the viscosity of the water phase and forming a protective colloid around oil droplets, which slows down droplet movement and prevents coalescence (droplets merging).
It is not a strong emulsifier by itself, but a very effective stabilizer.
Tragacanth improves emulsion longevity and phase separation resistance.

In suspension systems (pharmaceutical and food), it is particularly valuable because it can keep heavy, insoluble particles evenly distributed for long periods without rapid sedimentation.
Even if particles settle, they can be easily redispersed due to the gel-like network it forms.
Tragacanth improves suspension uniformity and dosing accuracy.

In controlled release and encapsulation research, tragacanth is studied because its swollen “bassorin” fraction forms a gel matrix that can slow the diffusion of active compounds, making it useful for gradual release systems.
This is relevant in experimental drug delivery and functional food design.
Tragacanth improves release control and formulation engineering.

Tragacanth contributes a smooth, slightly elastic mouthfeel in liquid systems, which can be used to mimic fat-like texture in low-fat formulations.
Tragacanth helps improve perceived creaminess without adding fats.
This improves sensory texture and fat replacement design.

Tragacanth is relatively stable across a wide pH range compared with some other natural gums, which allows it to function in both mildly acidic foods and neutral pharmaceutical systems without losing much viscosity.
However, very strong acids or prolonged high heat can still degrade it.
Tragacanth improves formulation robustness and processing tolerance.

FEMA: 3079 | TRAGACANTH GUM (ASTRAGALUS SPP.)
storage temp.: room temp
solubility: H2O: soluble 20 mg/mL
form: powder
color: Buff coloured powder
Odor: Odorless
biological source: plant (Astragalus gummifer)
Water Solubility: Slightly soluble in water.
Merck: 14,4581
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. High levels of dust in the air create the risk of explosion.
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: FRAGRANCE; EMULSION STABILISING; BINDING; FILM FORMING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

Tragacanth is widely used in food formulation systems, especially in sauces, dressings, and flavored emulsions, where it helps maintain uniform texture and prevents separation of oil and water phases over time.
Its high viscosity at low concentrations makes it efficient compared to many other gums.
Tragacanth improves product stability and mouthfeel consistency.

Tragacanth is used as a suspending agent in liquid medicines, helping keep insoluble drug particles evenly distributed so that each dose contains a consistent amount of active ingredient.
It is also used in cough syrups and lozenges as a soothing base.
Tragacanth improves dosage uniformity and medicinal stability.

In cosmetic formulations, tragacanth is used in creams, lotions, and gels to stabilize emulsions and improve texture, giving products a smooth and consistent feel while preventing phase separation.
Tragacanth is considered gentle and suitable for sensitive formulations.
Tragacanth improves cosmetic stability and sensory quality.

In industrial applications, it is used as a natural binder and thickener in textiles, inks, and adhesives, where its strong film-forming and water-retention properties help improve product performance.
Tragacanth is especially useful in traditional printing and dyeing processes.
Tragacanth improves binding strength and material consistency.

In confectionery and bakery systems, tragacanth can be used to control crystallization of sugar and improve texture in icings and fillings, helping create smoother and more stable products.
It also helps retain moisture in soft confections.
Tragacanth improves texture control and moisture stability.

In emulsion science, tragacanth is valued because it can stabilize oil-in-water systems without requiring high shear processing, making it useful in formulations where gentle mixing is required.
This is important for heat-sensitive or delicate systems.
This improves emulsion stability and processing flexibility.

In plant-based and natural product design, it is often preferred because it is a natural hydrocolloid, fitting clean-label and traditional formulation trends in food and cosmetic industries.
It is considered a classic natural thickener alongside gum arabic and pectin.
Tragacanth improves clean-label formulation appeal.

In biomedical and research contexts, tragacanth has been studied for controlled release systems due to its swelling and gel-forming properties, which can help regulate how active substances are released over time.
This is useful in experimental drug delivery systems.
Tragacanth improves controlled release and formulation science.

Tragacanth is biodegradable because it is a natural polysaccharide that can be broken down by microorganisms, making it relatively eco-friendly compared to synthetic polymers.
This supports sustainable formulation practices.
Tragacanth improves biodegradability and environmental compatibility.

In traditional and historical applications, tragacanth has been used for centuries in Persian and Middle Eastern medicine, inks, and art materials due to its strong binding and film-forming ability when dried.
It was especially important before synthetic polymers existed.
Tragacanth improves historical material understanding and cultural relevance.

In industrial coating and printing systems, it acts as a natural film-former, helping inks and dyes adhere evenly to surfaces while preventing bleeding or spreading.
This was historically important in textile printing and still appears in specialty applications.
Tragacanth improves coating uniformity and application control.

In cosmetic sensory science, it is used to improve product “feel” by giving formulations a slightly silky, gel-like texture without greasiness, making it suitable for lightweight lotions and gels.
It also helps stabilize emulsions without synthetic thickeners.
This improves cosmetic elegance and texture balance.

In environmental behavior, tragacanth is fully biodegradable and breaks down into simple sugars through microbial action, meaning it does not accumulate in ecosystems like synthetic polymers can.
Tragacanth makes it compatible with green chemistry and natural product design.

Tragacanth improves sustainability and environmental safety.
Tragacanth gum occurs as flattened, lamellated, frequently curved fragments, or as straight or spirally twisted linear pieces from 0.5–2.5mm in thickness; it may also be obtained in a powdered form. 
White to yellowish in color, tragacanth is a translucent, odorless substance, with an insipid mucilaginous taste.

Uses Of Tragacanth:
Tragacanth is a gum produced from a bush of the genus astragalus. 
Tragacanth swells in water to give a highly viscous sol or paste. 
A 1% solution of the purest gum has a viscosity of approximately 3,400 cps, and about 2% can form a paste. Solutions have a ph of 5–6. 

Tragacanth is stable at low ph and is an effective suspending agent because of its stability and acid resistance. 
It is used in salad dressings, sauces, fruit fillings, and citrus beverages. 
Tragacanth is also termed gum tragacanth.

Tragacanth gum is an effective emulsifying agent, binder, film former, and viscosity controller, it is also used as a stabilizing ingredient in lotions. Tragacanth gum is derived from the resin of the Astragalus gummifer shrub.
Tragacanth gum is used as an emulsifying and suspending agent in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations. 
It is used in creams, gels, and emulsions at various concentrations according to the application of the formulation and the grade of gum used.

Tragacanth gum is also used similarly in cosmetics and food products, and has been used as a diluent in tablet formulations.
Tragacanth is mainly used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, suspending agent, and binder because it increases viscosity, stabilizes mixtures, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid systems.
In food products, it is used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture in sauces, dressings, and confectionery.

Tragacanth improves consistency and mouthfeel.
In pharmaceuticals, it is used as a suspending agent in syrups and liquid medicines.
This improves dosage uniformity and stability.

In cosmetics, it is used to stabilize creams, lotions, and gels.
Tragacanth improves product texture and shelf life.
In industrial applications, it is used as a binder and thickener in inks, textiles, and adhesives.

Tragacanth improves material performance and consistency.
In confectionery, it is used to control texture and prevent crystallization.
Tragacanth improves product smoothness and stability.

Tragacanth is mainly used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier aid, suspending agent, and binder because it increases viscosity, stabilizes dispersed systems, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid formulations.
In food systems, it is used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture in sauces, dressings, and confectionery.
Tragacanth improves consistency and mouthfeel.

In pharmaceutical syrups, it is used as a suspending agent.
Tragacanth improves dosage uniformity and stability.
Tragacanth is used to stabilize gels and creams.

Tragacanth improves product texture and shelf life.
In industrial applications, it is used as a binder in inks, textiles, and coatings.
This improves material adhesion and consistency.

In specialty formulations, it is used for controlled texture and viscosity modification.
This improves formulation control and sensory performance.
Tragacanth is mainly used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier aid, suspending agent, and binder because it increases viscosity, stabilizes mixtures, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid systems even at low concentrations.

Tragacanth is used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture in sauces, dressings, syrups, and confectionery, helping prevent separation and maintain a smooth, consistent mouthfeel.
This improves product stability and sensory quality.
In pharmaceutical syrups and suspensions, it is used as a suspending agent to keep insoluble drug particles evenly distributed, ensuring consistent dosing in every use.

Tragacanth improves dosage accuracy and formulation stability.
In cosmetic formulations, it is used to stabilize emulsions in creams, lotions, gels, and serums, helping maintain a smooth texture and preventing phase separation over time.
Tragacanth improves product consistency and shelf life.

In industrial applications, it is used as a natural binder and thickener in inks, textiles, adhesives, and coatings, where it improves adhesion, flow control, and uniform application.
Tragacanth improves material performance and processing quality.
In confectionery and bakery products, it is used to improve texture, control crystallization (especially sugar systems), and retain moisture in soft sweets and fillings.

Tragacanth improves texture smoothness and product stability.
In emulsion systems, it is used to increase viscosity of the water phase, helping stabilize oil-in-water mixtures without requiring high mechanical processing.
Tragacanth improves emulsion stability and reduces separation.

Safety Profile Of Tragacanth:
Mildly toxic by ingestion a mild allergen. 
A skin and eye irritant combustible when exposed to heat or flame. 
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Tragacanth has been used for many years in oral pharmaceutical formulations and food products, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic material. 
Tragacanth has been shown to be noncarcinogenic. However, hypersensitivity reactions, which are occasionaly severe, have been reported following ingestion of products containing tragacanth. 
Contact dermatitis has also been reported following the topical use of tragacanth formulations.

Tragacanth is generally considered a low hazard natural gum, widely used in food and pharmaceutical applications, but it can still present mild risks depending on exposure level and sensitivity.
The main hazard is mild irritation or allergic reaction, especially in sensitive individuals, though this is relatively rare.
Most users tolerate it well due to its natural polysaccharide structure.

Tragacanth improves safety awareness for sensitive users.
Inhalation of fine tragacanth powder may cause respiratory irritation, especially in industrial environments where dust is generated during handling.
Proper ventilation and dust control are recommended.

This improves occupational safety.
Skin contact is generally non-irritating, but prolonged exposure to concentrated solutions may cause mild dryness in sensitive skin.
Washing with water is sufficient.

Tragacanth improves handling safety.
Eye contact may cause mechanical irritation, especially from dry particles or dust exposure.
Eye protection is recommended in manufacturing settings.

Tragacanth improves workplace protection.
From a toxicological perspective, tragacanth is considered non-toxic and safe for consumption within regulated food additive limits, as it is a natural polysaccharide that is not absorbed in significant amounts by the human body.