Extraction and characterization of mucilage from Talinum paniculatum ('Ginseng Jawa')

Abstract

'Ginseng Jawa' (Talinum paniculatum) occurs locally naturalized and usually in cultivated land and roadside in tropical Africa and also can be found in Malaysia, where the shoots and leaves are added to stews and soups. Mucilage from 'Ginseng Jawa' is an interesting substance that can be used in food industry. Mucilage is water soluble polysaccharides found in widespread number of plants. Therefore, a study on extraction and characterization of mucilage from 'Ginseng Jawa' was undertaken. The mucilage was extracted by using hot water method at 70 C with sample ('Ginseng Jawa')/water ratio of 1 :3 and mucilage precipitation was done with ethanol at 1 :3 ratio. The total yield of mucilage, selected proximate composition, sugar content, pH and also physical characteristics of the mucilage were evaluated and compared with gum Arabic. The yield of mucilage from 'Ginseng Jawa' obtained was 0.85%.