The present study aims to determine the chemical
composition, physical properties, nutritional value, bioactive
compounds content and biological activities of the gum arabic
(Acacia seyal) collected from Sudan Republic. The extractive
value for gum arabic (GA) in different organic solvents was
very low (0.065-1.942%) while very high in water (16.052-
16.921%). The contents of moisture, total protein, crude fat,
crude fiber, ash and carbohydrates content of GA were 10.32,
2.87, 0.15, 81.45, 2.63 and 2.85%, respectively. Also, the total
energy (Kcal/100g), the daily requirement of adult man for
protein (GDR/protein) and energy (GDR/energy) , percent
satisfaction of the daily requirements of adult man in protein
(P.S./protein) and energy (P.S./energy) which recorded 23.15,
2195, 12527, 4.56 and 0.80, respectively. Furhermore,
bioactive compounds content of GA powder indicated that
polysaccharides were the most largest compound (211.53±
10.43mg starch equvalent. g-1) followed by phenolics (43.98 ±
1.76 mg gallic acid equvalent. g-1), and flavonoids (10.23 ± 0.34 mg catechin equivalent. g-1). Also, GA was e richen in
dietary fiber (74.45± 3.21g/100g). The samples also recorded
several very high biological activities which include
antioxidant and radicals scavenging activities. Such important
bioactive compounds content and biological effects of GA
could play important roles in strategies to combat/treat many
diseases, especially those for which oxidative stress is one of
the mechanisms for its occurrence i.e. obesity, diabetes, cancer,
atherosclerosis etc. Therefore, the present study recommended
like of that GA powder and/or extracts to be included in our
daily diets, drinks, food supplementation and pharmacological
formulae. |
