Mucilage, << MYOO suh lihj, >> is a thick, sticky substance usually made by dissolving gum in water or in some other liquid. The purpose of mucilage is to cause two substances to adhere (stick together). Therefore, mucilage is classified as an adhesive. The exact ingredients of mucilage vary with the adhesive’s planned uses. Gum arabic dissolved in hot water makes gum-arabic mucilage. When aluminum sulfate is added to the solution, the adhesive may be used to make paper stick to glass. Dissolving dextrin (a substance made from starch) in cold water makes a mucilage that is used on envelopes. Glue and gelatin also are used to make mucilage.
