Making Gum Arabic from powder

Shakey · Jun 10, 2008

I'm making the gum arabic from powder in the ratio of 1:2 as it states on unblinkingeye.

However to preserve the gum it says to put 10 grams thymol in 10 cc of isopropyl alcohol, and what i was wondering was whether i could just put 10g of thymol in the mixed gum arabic, or is there anything else i could mix it (that would be available from a local supermarket as i don't have time to order in any more chemicals) with and also what quanity do i need of the gum arabic so i can add the 10g of thymol.

Finally how long will the gum arabic last without any preservitive?

Thanks for any replies and sorry for all the questions.

Shakey

donbga · Jun 10, 2008

Shakey said:
I'm making the gum arabic from powder in the ratio of 1:2 as it states on unblinkingeye.

However to preserve the gum it says to put 10 grams thymol in 10 cc of isopropyl alcohol, and what i was wondering was whether i could just put 10g of thymol in the mixed gum arabic,

You will only need a drop or two of the thymol solution.

Shakey said:
Finally how long will the gum arabic last without any preservitive?

Shakey

The gum will sour pretty quickly without a preservative. Thymol is pretty cheap but you can use a couple of ml of plain Listerine in a pinch (which may cost more than a small quantity of Thymol).

Don't worry about the questions - worry about the answers you get.

Shakey · Jun 10, 2008

i've already got the thymol, it's just that it stated to add it too isopropyl alcohol. I was just wondering whether i could dissolve it in distilled water and then add it, or add it as it is while i make the solution up

donbga · Jun 10, 2008

Shakey said:
i've already got the thymol, it's just that it stated to add it too isopropyl alcohol. I was just wondering whether i could dissolve it in distilled water and then add it, or add it as it is while i make the solution up

It will dissolve more readily in the alcohol. Add the thymol solution after the gum is mixed and then stir for a bit.

Aurum · Jun 10, 2008

The alcohol is there to act as a dispersant, as two drops of oil of thymol will just sit there as a blob and not mix well.
The oil will disperse in the alcohol, and when this mix hits a water based solution, it will "Cloud out" making a ultra fine dispersion allowing it to be mixed throughout your gum batch.

If you want to see the effect, drop some surgical spirit into plain tap water. Surgical spirit (IIRC) contains lanolin dissolved in the alcohol.

Shakey · Jun 11, 2008

i've added roughly 1 gram of thymol to 1cm3 of isopropyl alcohol(which i found out the local chemist sold), then added this thymol to 150ml of gum arabic in the ratio of 1:3. is this enough thymol.

Thanks again for everyone's replies

Aurum · Jun 11, 2008

Bit confused as to how much was added to what, as there are a few ratios and the like.

you made a 1g per ml solution of thymol in IPA Yes?

and then you added how much to the 150ml of Gum Arabic solution

Its the 1:3 bit thats confusing me, or is that the description of your gum arabic solution which is the standard strength artists gum arabic solution.

If you're adding a gram of Thymol (Dissolved in your 1ml of IPA) into 150ml of Gum Arabic, that should be more than enough

Shakey · Jun 12, 2008

sorry to confuse everyone, reading over it doesn't sound very clear!

Sorry i've also got my numbers wrong, what i actually did was add 25gram of gum arabic powder to 100ml of water making 125ml gum arabic solution of which now makes a ratio of 1:4 which i did't mean to do just wasn't thinking at the time when i made up the solution i added 50ml of water instead of 25ml.

biss9411 · Jun 12, 2008

Tea tree oil contains relevant terpenes, and so far in my experience, disperses well by itself in aqueous solutions and mixes. You can get it at some markets. It's safer for most people than most essential oils, and goes a very long way. Use common sense, of course, and check for allergies before using it extensively. I often use it in combination with rosemary oil if I also need an antibacterial.

A drop or two in a pint is good. Make sure it's pure essential oil.

Hope that helps.

donbga · Jun 12, 2008

biss9411 said:
Tea tree oil contains relevant terpenes, and so far in my experience, disperses well by itself in aqueous solutions and mixes. You can get it at some markets. It's safer for most people than most essential oils, and goes a very long way. Use common sense, of course, and check for allergies before using it extensively. I often use it in combination with rosemary oil if I also need an antibacterial.

A drop or two in a pint is good. Make sure it's pure essential oil.

Hope that helps.

Interesting. My wife sells pure essential oils so I'll ask her to get some for me. You can also add 3 drops of lavendar to a gallon of latex paint. After mixing the paint after smell is eliminated!

biss9411 · Jun 12, 2008

Thanks for mentioning lavender--it really is useful. I never use it because it makes me sneeze.

donbga · Jun 12, 2008

biss9411 said:
Thanks for mentioning lavender--it really is useful. I never use it because it makes me sneeze.

Lavendar is also good for treating minor burns, cuts, and abrasions.

Aurum · Jun 13, 2008

A drop or two in a pint is good. Make sure it's pure essential oil.

Good point. There are some vendors who advertise "essential oils" that aren't selling them pure. They're diluted with vegetable oil, such as grapeseed oil.
This is more common with stuff sold for massage or aromatherapy, and is more common the more expensive the essential oil is. If the vendor says you can put the stuff direct onto the skin, its probably diluted, or they aren't fully aware of the risks of neat essential oils.

In the case of essential oils, as in life, you get what you pay for.

Tea tree is cheap, so is likely to be sold straight. Something proporting to be rose essential oil won't be, as rose absolute is is in the range of £1000's per kilo

If you get Pharmacopoea grade Tea Tree it should be the real deal. Don't spill it. It stinks, and don't get the neat stuff on your skin, its not good and will probably cause irritation (and it stinks)
An ex boss of mine dropped a 60g sample in his office and cleared a whole large production lab for the best part of an hour with that stuff

Making Gum Arabic from powder

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