1. Vegetable Gelatin

Source Chemical Constituents:

  • Polysaccharides (primarily galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose)
  • Agarose
  • Agaropectin

Uses:

  • Food Industry: Used as a gelling agent in products like jellies, puddings, and candies.
  • Microbiology: Used as a solidifying agent for culture media.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Utilized in capsule formulations and as a binder in tablets.
  • Cosmetics: Acts as a thickening agent in lotions and creams.
  • Biotechnology: Employed in electrophoresis for separating DNA and proteins.

2. Amylum (Starch)

Source Chemical Constituents:

  • Polysaccharides (amylose and amylopectin)
  • Minor constituents include lipids, proteins, and phosphorus compounds

Uses:

  • Food Industry: Used as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent in soups, sauces, and desserts.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Employed as a disintegrant in tablet formulations and as a binder.
  • Paper Industry: Utilized for coating and sizing paper.
  • Textiles: Used for sizing and finishing fabrics.
  • Bioplastics: Serves as a raw material for biodegradable plastics.

3. Chaulmoogra Oil

Source Chemical Constituents:

  • Fatty acids (hydnocarpic acid, chaulmoogric acid, gorlic acid)
  • Oleic acid
  • Palmitic acid
  • Stearic acid

Uses:

  • Medicine: Historically used to treat leprosy and other skin conditions.
  • Topical Applications: Utilized in the treatment of chronic skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis.
  • Traditional Medicine: Employed in Ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Cosmetics: Used in formulations for its emollient properties.

4. Honey



Source Chemical Constituents:

  • Carbohydrates (primarily fructose and glucose)
  • Water
  • Enzymes (invertase, diastase)
  • Amino acids
  • Vitamins and minerals (e.g., vitamin C, calcium, iron)
  • Antioxidants (e.g., flavonoids and phenolic acids)

Uses:

  • Food Industry: Used as a natural sweetener, flavor enhancer, and preservative.
  • Medicine: Applied topically to wounds and burns for its antibacterial and healing properties.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Incorporated in cough syrups and lozenges for its soothing effect.
  • Cosmetics: Included in skincare products for its moisturizing and antibacterial properties.
  • Traditional Medicine: Used in various remedies for sore throats, digestive issues, and as a general health tonic.

These substances each have unique properties and applications across various industries, making them valuable resources in food, medicine, and beyond.