Resumen

LOPEZ-FRANCO,¹, Yolanda L; GOYCOOLEA, Francisco M.; VALDEZ³, Miguel A  y  CALDERON DE LA BARCA4, Ana María. Mesquite gum: alternative of industrial use. INCI [online]. 2006, vol.31, n.3, pp.183-189. ISSN 0378-1844.

Summary Mesquite (Prosopis spp.) is a leguminous tree widespread in arid and semi-arid zones of the world. In stress conditions, the tree exudates a vitreous gummy material known as mesquite gum. This polysaccharide is an arabinogalactan protein with chemical, macromolecular and functional properties similar to those of gum arabic, having industrial potential use in foods, beverage, pharmacy, etc. Gum arabic from Acacia senegal and A. seyal has satisfied the market demand for many decades; however, its high cost, shortage and supply insecurity has prompted the search of other botanic sources of gums such as mesquite gum from Prosopis spp. The relation between chemical characteristics, macromolecular structure and emulsifying properties of mesquite gum components suggests that mesquite gum can compete successfully with gum arabic

Palabras clave : Goma arábiga; Goma de mezquite; Mezquite; Polisacáridos.