GUM GUAIAC

Description

Bulnesia sarmienti Lor. is a wild tree 3 to 4 m (10 to 13 ft.) high, widespread in the woods of Argentina and in the Gran Chaco area of Paraguay. This variety yields the true guaiac, Guaiacum officinale L., also a tree native to tropical America (Caribbean Islands), grows wild or cultivated in Venezuela, Jamaica, Cuba, and Colombia. This variety yields a resinous substance from which a tincture is prepared. The wood and sawdust from the tree are the parts used. Guaiac has a soft, pleasant, rose-like odor reminiscent of tea roses.
The essential oil is obtained by steam distillation of chipped wood of B. sormienti in approximately 3% yields. It is a thick, viscous, orange-brown mass with a woody, rose-like odor reminiscent of tea rose. Sometimes the oil exhibits a smoky note. The main constituent of the oil, also known as champaca wood oil, is guaiol, a sesquiterpene alcohol (85%).
The derivatives are fluid extract, tincture (mainly from G. officinale L.). The tincture is generally a 10% solution in 60% ethanol. The fluid extract is a reddish-brown liquid with a pleasant odor and burning, bitter taste.

Chemical properties

Brownish lumps. Mp 85C. Insoluble in water; soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, chloroform, and caustic soda.

Chemical properties

Bulnesia sarmienti Lor is a wild tree 3 to 4 m high, widespread in the woods of Argentina and in the Gran Chaco area of Paraguay This variety yields the true guaiac G offcinale L , also a tree native to tropical America (Caribbean Islands), grows wild or cultivated in Venezuela, Jamaica, Cuba and Colombia This variety yields a resinous substance from which a tincture is prepared The gum occurs as irregular masses enclosing fragments of vegetable tissues, or in large, nearly homogeneous masses and occasion- ally in more or less rounded or ovoid tears The wood and sawdust from the tree are the parts used Guaiac has a soft, pleasant, rose- like odor reminiscent of tea roses and a slightly acrid taste.

Physical properties

Externally, the gum is brownish-black to dusky-brown, acquiring a greenish color on long expo- sure; the fractured surface has a glassy luster The thin pieces are transparent and vary in color from brown- to yellowish-orange The powder is moderate yel.

The Uses of GUM GUAIAC

The Nobles test can be performed using 67% (w/v) gum guaiac diluted in 96% ethanol to analyze the level of extracellular oxidase production

The Uses of GUM GUAIAC

Clinical reagent (blood or hemoglobin).

Definition

A resin from certain Mexican and West Indian trees, especially Guaiacum santum and G. officinale.

What are the applications of Application

Gum guaiac is a tree resin and crude source of 2,5-di-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylfuran (α-guaiaconic acid).