EVALUATION OF GUM DERIVED FROM IPOMOEA BATATAS L. GUM AS AN EMULSIFYING AGENT IN PARACETAMOL EMULSION

The increasing need for sustainable, affordable, and biocompatible pharmaceutical excipients has driven interest in plant-derived polymers as alternatives to synthetic materials. This study evaluated gum extracted from Ipomoea batatas L. (sweet potato) peels as a natural emulsifying agent in the formulation of paracetamol emulsions. The gum was extracted using aqueous extraction followed by acetone precipitation and characterised for its organoleptic, solubility, and physicochemical properties. Paracetamol emulsions were formulated using varying ratios of Ipomoea batatas gum alone and in combination with acacia gum, employing both fixed oil (olive oil) and mineral oil as oil phases. The formulated emulsions were evaluated for organoleptic properties and rheological behaviour using viscosity measurements at varying shear rates. Results showed that the extracted gum possessed acceptable physicochemical properties, including good hydration capacity and flow characteristics. Emulsions formulated with Ipomoea batatas gum exhibited satisfactory appearance and viscosity profiles comparable to those containing acacia gum. The findings indicate that gum derived from Ipomoea batatas peels has potential as a natural emulsifying agent in pharmaceutical emulsions, supporting sustainable excipient development and contributing to the utilisation of locally available renewable resources in line with global sustainability goals.