Some emulsifying and suspending properties of the mucilage extracted from kernels of Irvingia gabonensis.

The mucilage extracted from the kernels of Irvingia gabonensis was evaluated for use as suspending and emulsifying agent. The rheological behaviour of the mucilage was studied and compared to that of tragacanth. As a suspending agent, Irvingia mucilage was compared to tragacanth at various concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% w/v) in the formulation of sulphanilamide suspensions. At all concentrations the formulated suspensions with Irvingia mucilage gave higher Hu (final sedimentation height) and F (sedimentation volume) values. As an emulsifying agent, the properties of Irvingia mucilage was compared to tragacanth and acacia gum. The emulsions prepared with 0.6, 1.0, and 1.5% tragacanth and Irvingia 'cracked' within six days while that with 12.5% w/v acacia started showing signs of creaming at the tenth day. The emulsion prepared with 2.0% w/v Irvingia mucilage was however stable throughout the six weeks of study. The results indicate that Irvingia mucilage performed better than acacia and tragacanth even at lower concentrations in the formulation of emulsions and suspensions.