Valorization of Cassia tora Seeds: Extraction and Biofunctional Characterization of Cassia tora Seed Gum

Abstract

Cassia tora, an annual shrub, is a promising but underexplored source of galactomannan, comparable to widely used sources, such as fenugreek, guar, and locust bean. Galactomannans are heteropolysaccharides composed of galactose and mannose, valued for their role as dietary fibers and texture modifiers in food applications. This study aimed to optimize Cassia tora gum's extraction process, characterize its physiochemical properties, and quantify its galactomannan content to assess its potential as a gelling agent. The extraction process was optimized by varying key parameters, including the water-to-seed powder ratio, boiling time, and mucilage-to-ethanol ratio, achieving a 96% recovery of gum, higher than the reported yield with high purity. Physiochemical analysis revealed that the extracted gum contained 84.12% carbohydrate with a galactose-to-mannose ratio of 1:5. Galactomannan content was determined to be 55% in raw Cassia seeds. Rheological studies demonstrated a minimum gelation concentration of 75%, highlighting the gum's potential as an efficient gelling agent. These findings underscore the feasibility of utilizing Cassia tora as a sustainable and cost-effective source of galactomannan for food and industrial applications, offering a valuable alternative to conventional sources.