Natural polymers and their derivatives have been widely used in pharmaceutical and food industries. The development of delivery systems using natural polymers such as gums offers distinct advantages, such as, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and cost effectiveness. Cashew gum (CG) is an exudate taken from Anacardium occidentale, which is a common tree in Braziĺs northeastern region. CG has rheological and mucoadhesive properties that can find many applications, among which the design of delivery systems for drugs and other actives such as larvicide compounds. The objective of this review is to characterize CG from its source through to the process of purification and chemical modification highlighting its physicochemical properties and discussing its potential either as an original or modified gum for micro and nanoparticulate delivery systems.

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