Organic food - Import export

is a white to yellowish powder. Traganth is an exsudate (emerging resin) of trunks and twigs of a certain shrub species (astragalus gummifer). The plant can reach a height up to 2 meters and is domiciled in the Near East and in Iran. To obtain traganth, a part of the plant must be cut and the emerging resin air-dried and subsequently collected. Depending on the colour and viscosity it is divided into different quality grades. Because of its plant-based origin it may be permitted to be put in organic food. Traganth consists of polysaccharides and esters. The two main components are tragacanthin with a share of 60 % - 70 % and bassorin with a share of 30 % - 40 %. Traganth is unsoluble in water, but is swelling as soons as it comes in touch with water. It is also acid and heat stable.