Gum Tragacanth

Gum Tragacanth, our main export product, is produced from several shrubbery plants of the genus Astragalus, which grow in Iran. Astragalus gummifer is considered to be the main Tragacanth yielding species; it is a small branching thorny shrub, which grows to a height of 30-60 cm.

Karawan exports Gum Tragacanth in two different classes: Ribbon and Flake

Characteristics of the first class, Ribbon, are a high level of viscosity and a white colour with pieces approximately 0.5 – 1.5 cm wide and 2 – 8 cm long. Its quality is divided into various categories: Ribbon I – Ribbon V, the first having the most viscosity. The main area where we harvest Ribbon Tragacanth is in the western part of Iran where it has a greater viscosity (up to 6000 cps).

The second class, Flake, is harder. It has a creamy-brown colour and are divided into seven different qualities - Flake-27, Flake-28 etc. Flake Tragacanth makes up 90% of our export volume. The main production sites of Flake in Iran are in Isfahan, Shiraz, and in some of the provinces in the west of the country.


Applications
Tragacanth is used as a thickener, stabilizer or emulsifier in the food industry for many products such as sauces, savoury spreads, milk shakes, ice creams, and confectionery and bakery products. It is used also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Its advantage in comparison to other gums is its stability under acidic conditions.

Packaging
We offer Tragacanth in different carton sizes and jute sacks of 25 to 50 kg.

Besides the mentioned quality classes, we also deliver our clients Tragacanth in powder form. Our Tragacanth powder complies to European pharma-copoeia specifications. For further information and also specification please contact us.