Resins and Gums are secondary metabolic products of plants which are produced as a result of injury to the plant. They are important to us as they hold a number of commercial applications. Let us look at their differences:
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Resins are a mixture of organic compounds mainly composed of terpenes. |
Gums are made of polysaccharides and their derivatives. |
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They are soluble in various organic liquids but not in water. |
They are water-soluble or rather absorb water well. |
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They exude from plant passages and cavities. |
They exude naturally from the stems of the plants. |
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Resins are formed as oxidation products. |
Gums are formed by the decomposition of cellulose and plant tissues, a process called gummosis. |
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They burn with a smoky flame, when ignited. |
They decompose directly without melting on heating. |
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Used as varnishes, adhesives, food glazing agent and in incense and perfumes. |
Used as thickening agents, emulsifiers, gelling agents and swelling agents. |
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Cedar, Fir, Juniper, Pine, Spruce, etc. |
Acacia, Astrangalus, Sterculia, Feronia, Ceratonia, etc. |
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Amber, balsam, copal |
Agar, acacia gum, guar gum |
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