Tamarind consists of dried ripe fruits (freed from the brittle epicarp) of Tamarindus indica Linn., belonging to family Leguminosae.
TAMARIND
Synonyms
West Indian Tamarind, Imli.
Botanical Source
Tamarind consists of dried ripe fruits (freed from the
brittle epicarp) of Tamarindus indica
Linn., belonging to family Leguminosae.
Geographical Source
West Indies (Barbados), India.
Collection
Tamarind is a superior indehiscent legume 5–20 cm long and 2
cm in width. Epicarps of the legumes are brittle, rough, brownish and hard.
Mesocarp is the pulp and is acidic in nature with fibres which are vascular
strands. Endocarp is leathery and encloses three to six seeds.
Dried ripe fruits are collected, epicarp is removed and hot
boiling syrup is poured over it for the purpose of preservation. Rarely sugar
is also sprinkled in addition to syrup.
In India fruits are collected and epicarp is removed either
partially or fully, and 10% salts added as a preservative. Some fermentation
takes place and the drug obtains a black colour.
Morphology
Chemical Constituents
The pulp contains 10% fruit acids, mainly tartaric acid and maleic acid, also about 8% sodium potassium tartarate and about 25–40% invert sugar along with pectin. The acidity ranges from 11 to 16%.
H C COOH HO CH COOH
H C COOH HO CH COOH
Maleic acid Tataric acid
Uses
It acts as a gentle laxative due to osmosis and is also used
as present acid refrigerant.
Marketed Product
Tamarindus indica is employed as a laxative in Laxa
Tea manufactured by Himalaya Drug
Company.
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