Physicochemical Properties and Rheological Behaviour of Ficus glumosa Gum in Aqueous Solution

The physicochemical properties, cationic composition and rheological behaviour of exudates from Ficus glumosa were investigated. The gum was found to be mild acidic, ionic and soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents. The trend for the decreasing concentration of elements determined in the gum sample is Mg > Ca > Mn > Zn > Fe > Ni > Cu > Cd > Pb. Rheological properties of the gums have been adequately modeled using Huggins, Kraemer, Arrhenius, Tanglertpaibul and Rao theories. The results indicated that the viscosity of the gum increases with increasing pH and concentration but decreases with increase in temperature. Values of intrinsic viscosity obtained from Huggins and Kraemer plots were similar (11.197). The value of activation energy (Evis) of the gum studied was found to be 1.915 kJ/mol. The low Evis values obtained suggests the existence of few inter and intra-interactions between the molecules of the gums within the investigated temperature. Ficus glumosa gum exudate hence possesses the potentials to be used as an additive in food and other industries.