Gum arabic is a gum that dissolves easily in water. It is used chiefly in making perfumes, medicine, candies, and mucilage. Gum arabic is sometimes called gum acacia. It is obtained from the sap of the Acacia senegal, a tree that grows in Sudan in Africa. When used for mucilage on labels and envelope flaps, the gum is mixed with glycerin and sugar. This prevents the gum from becoming stiff enough to crack and fall from the paper. Gum arabic adds luster and stiffening to textiles. See also Gum ; Lithography ; Mucilage .
