Neem gum is purified using a method that involves dissolving it in hot water and then precipitating it using alcohol.
Simple Method for Neem Gum Purification
Based on the provided reference, a common and effective method for purifying powdered neem gum involves two main steps:
- Dissolving in Hot Distilled Water: The powdered gum is first dissolved thoroughly in hot distilled water. This step helps to separate the soluble gum components from any insoluble impurities.
- Precipitating in Alcohol: After dissolution, the mixture is treated with alcohol. This causes the purified neem gum to precipitate out of the solution, as gum is typically insoluble in alcohol.
This process effectively separates the desired gum polysaccharides from other soluble or insoluble substances that might be present.
Yield of Purified Gum
Following this method, the per cent yield of purified gum obtained was found to be 96% w/w. This indicates that the process is highly efficient, recovering most of the gum material from the starting powdered sample.
Summary Table
| Step | Description | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Dissolution | Dissolving powdered gum in hot distilled water | Separates soluble gum from insoluble impurities |
| 2. Precipitation | Adding alcohol to the solution | Causes purified gum to precipitate out |
This two-step approach is a standard technique for purifying natural gums and polysaccharides, leveraging differences in solubility between the gum and potential contaminants.
