Tragacanthus gum (Tragacanth, Gummi Tragacanthae, tragacanthus, E413) – stabilizer; dried gum flowing from the incisions of the stems and branches of the thorny shrub astragalus tragacanthus.
Sources of commercial gum are 12-15 species. Traditional harvesting areas are the middle mountains of Southeastern Turkey, Northwestern and Southern Iran. In the past, harvesting was carried out in the countries of Transcaucasia and in Turkmenistan (Kopetdag). Both natural outflows and outflows resulting from special incisions are collected.
There are two varieties of tragacanthus gums on the markets of Europe: Persian tragacanthus (more often) and Anatolian tragacanthus. On the border of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, a gum known as Chitral gum is obtained.
Tragacanthum gum is used in pharmaceuticals for the preparation of suspensions, as a base for tablets and pills. It is also used in the preparation of confectionery mastic for the strength of the mass.