Inte rnatio nal Journal of Pharmaceutical Research | O ct – Dec 2016 | Vol 8 | Issue 4 | 33 Research Article Isolation and Characterisation of Natural Mucillage from Cucumis melo L. E. VADIVEL AND SWATI SUBASH NAIK Postgraduate Chemistry Department, Dnyanprassarak Mandal` s College and Research Centre, Assagao- Bardez, Goa, India email: velpharmamsu@ gmail.com, (m): 09561641736 Received: 15.05.16, Revised: 15.07.16, Accepted: 10.08.16 ABSTRACT Mucilages are found as common ingredients in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food and non-food industries due to their low cost compared to the synthetic polymers. The synthetic polymer such as excipients suffer from many disadvantages such as high cost, toxicity, non-biodegradability and environmental pollution caused during their synthesis. In the present study mucilage was isolated from the fruits of C ucumis melo(Muskmelon). The mucilage was extracted using distilled water and isolated by two methods such as precipitation with ethanol and acetone.The isolated mucilage was characterized by physicochemical properties such as solubility, pH , swelling index, Loss on drying, preliminary phytochemical studies and FTIR. The micromeritic properties such as bulk and tapped densities, Carr’s index, H ausner’s ratio and angle of response were also evaluated. The results show that only carbohydrates and amino acids were present in isolated mucilage. These tests indicate the purity of the mucilage. Extracted mucilage was soluble in warm water while insoluble in organic solvents. This showed that this can be safely used in dosage form without causing any adverse effect. Keywords: C ucumis melo, Muskmelon, Isolation, Mucilage. INTRODUCTION Formulation of an active pharmaceutical ingredient into desired dosage forms are rarely possible without the addition of excipients. They are vital part of medicinal compounds, which may be also a major po rtio n of medicinal product. These a re inert molecules that play a ve ry impo rtant ro le in designing of dosage form. Today, we have a number of plant-based pharmaceutical excipients, which may be selected and optimized based on the properties of the drug, requirements on the dosage form and its site of action. Apart from its common functions like serving as inert vehicle fo r the administratio n o f right volume of active pharmaceutical ingredient with co nsistency in weight, excipients a lso fulfil multifunctional roles such as release retardants, so lub ility enhancers, visco sity modifiers, etc. In addition to this they offer significant advantages in ease of manufacturing, enhancement of patient compliance, improved bioavailability, reproducibility, targeted delivery etc. [1]. The plant based polymers have been studied for their application in different pharmaceutical dosage forms like matrix controlled system, film coating agents, buccal films, microspheres, nanoparticles, visco us liquid fo rmulatio ns like ophthalmic so lutio ns, suspensio ns and implants. Their applicability and efficacy has been proven. These have also been utilized as visco sity enhancers, stabilizers, disintegrants, solubilisers, emulsifiers, suspending agents, gelling agents, bioadhesives and binders in the above mentioned dosage forms[2].Polysaccharide hydro co llo ids including mucilages, gums and glucans are abundant in nature and commonly found in many higher plants. These polysaccharides co nstitute a structurally diverse class o f bio logical macromolecules with a broad range of physicochemical properties which are widely used for various applications in pharmacy and medicine. Gums are considered to be pathological products formed following injury to the plant or owing to unfavorable conditions, such as a drought, by a breakdown of cell walls (extra cellular formation, gummosis).Mucilage’s are generally normal products of metabolism, formed within the cell (intracellular formation) and/ or are produced without injury to the plant. Gums readily dissolve in water, whereas, mucilage forms slimy masses [3]. Mucilages are polysaccharide macromolecules that dissolve more or less upon contact with water and form colloidal solutions. Mucilages and gums are well known since ancient times for their medicinal value. In recent years, plant gums and mucilages have evoked tremendous interest due to their diverse application in pharmacy in the formulation of both solid and liquid dosage forms as thickeners, water retention agents, emulsion, stabilizers, suspending agents, binders and film formers. Apart from its use in finished medicines, newer uses have been found in the preparation of cosmetics, textiles, paint and paper. Hence the demand for these substances is