Acacia nilotica:A Multipurpose Tree and Source of Indian Gum Arabic

Acacia nilotica is truly multipurpose nitrogen fixing leguminous tree in India commonly called as babul and is a source of Indian gum arabic. It is a complex species with nine subspecies, of which six are native to the African tropics and three others are native to the Indian subcontinent. It is considered as a very important economic plant since early times as a source of tannins, gums, timber, fuel, fodder and medicine. Gum is widely used as industrial, food and medicinal purposes. This article briefly reviews the botany, distribution, ecology and environment, improved techniques of gum extraction, its uses and properties. This is an attempt to compile and document information on different aspect of Acacia nilotica and its potential uses.