Acacia gum; gum arabic was used in the Middle East at least as early as the 9th century.
Acacia gum; gum arabic first found its way to Europe via Arabic ports and retained its name of origin.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, predominantly polymers of arabinose and galactose.
CAS Number: 9000-01-5
EINECS Number: 232-519-5
Synonyms: Gum Arabic, 9000-01-5, 5C5403N26O, Acacia, Acacia gum, Acacia arabica, Acacia mucilage, Acacia powder, Acacia seyal, Acacia senegal resin, Acacia verek resin, Acacia spinosa resin, Acacia circummarginata resin, Acacia cufodontii resin, Acacia oxyosprion resin, Acacia rupestris resin, Acacia volkii resin, Acacia ampliceps gum, Acacia dealbata gum, Acacia fragilis gum, Acacia leptopetala gum, Acacia ligulata gum, Acacia meisneri gum, Acacia pruinocarpa gum, Acacia salicina gum, Acacia victoriae gum, Acacia syrup, Acacia solution, Acaciae gummi, Arabic gum, Arabic Gum, Arabic gum allergenic extract, Arabic Gum Acacia, Gum arabic, Gum arabic (Acacia senegal), Gum arabic (Acacia seyal), Gum arabic (Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.), Gum arabicum, Gummi arabicum, Gum Acacia, Gum ovaline, Gum senegal, Senegal gum, Indian gum, Australian gum, Wattle gum, Kordofan gum, Kher resin, Mimosa senegal resin, Senegalia senegal resin, Thorny acacia resin, Plants and plant parts gum acacia or arabic acacia senegal, Gum Dragon, Starsol No. 1, INS-414, INS NO.414, E-414, FEMA No. 2001, DTXSID8020676, RefChem:922598, 232-519-5, NCI-C50748, acaciadealbatagum;acaciasenegal;acaciasyrup;australiangum;gumdragon;gumovaline;gumsenegal;nci-c50748
Acacia gum; gum arabic is a tree gum exuded by two species in the Acacia genus in its sensu lato (Latin for broad sense), pre 2005 meaning: Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal.
However, the term "gum arabic" does not indicate a particular botanical source.
The gum is harvested commercially from wild trees, mostly in Sudan (about 70% of the global supply) and throughout the Sahel, from Senegal to Somalia.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is soluble in water, edible, and used primarily in the food industry and soft drink industry as a stabilizer, with E number E414.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is a key ingredient in traditional lithography and is used in printing, paints, glues, cosmetics, and various industrial applications, including viscosity control in inks and in textile industries.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is a natural polysaccharide hydrocolloid, widely used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, and film-forming agent in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is obtained from the exudate of Acacia species trees, mainly Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal.
Acacia gum; gum arabic belongs to the class of plant-derived gums.
Acacia gum; gum arabic consists of complex branched polysaccharides composed mainly of arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid units, along with a small protein fraction.
This structure gives it high solubility and emulsifying properties.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is responsible for its functional behavior.
Physically, Acacia gum; gum arabic appears as a white to pale yellow powder or granules.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is highly soluble in water, forming clear, low-viscosity solutions.
It is odorless and has a mild taste.
Acacia gum; gum arabic exhibits excellent emulsifying properties, especially for oil-in-water systems.
Acacia gum; gum arabic stabilizes emulsions effectively.
This is important in food and beverage formulations.
Acacia gum; gum arabic also functions as a film-forming and encapsulating agent, creating protective layers around active ingredients.
It helps stabilize sensitive compounds.
This improves product stability.
Acacia gum; gum arabic shows low viscosity even at relatively high concentrations, making it unique among hydrocolloids.
It provides stability without excessive thickening.
This enhances formulation flexibility.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is chemically stable under normal conditions, though it may degrade under extreme heat or microbial contamination.
Proper storage ensures quality.
It should be kept dry.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is best described as a highly soluble natural polysaccharide with emulsifying, stabilizing, and encapsulating properties, widely used in food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial systems.
Acacia gum; gum arabic exhibits excellent surface-active properties, allowing it to stabilize emulsions even at low concentrations.
It reduces interfacial tension between oil and water.
Acacia gum; gum arabic forms protective colloidal systems, preventing aggregation and sedimentation of particles.
It keeps dispersed systems stable over time.
This enhances product shelf life.
Acacia gum; gum arabic has good tolerance to heat during short processing times, though prolonged high temperatures may cause degradation.
Acacia gum; gum arabic performs well in pasteurization processes.
This supports food manufacturing.
Density: 1.35
FEMA: 2001 | ACACIA GUM (ACACIA SENEGAL (L.) WILLD.)
storage temp.: Sealed in dry, Room Temperature
solubility: water: soluble
form: fine powder
color: White to yellow-beige
Specific Gravity: 1.35–1.49
Odor: ylsh.-wh. angular fragments, odorless
pH Range: 4.1–4.8
Odor Type: Bland
biological source: plant (Acacia)
Water Solubility: Water soluble. Aqueous solution is acidic to litmus
Merck: 14,14
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with alcohols, oxidizing agents
Acacia gum; gum arabic has a highly branched molecular structure, which contributes to its excellent solubility in water.
Acacia gum; gum arabic dissolves rapidly without forming lumps.
This makes it easy to use in formulations.
Acacia gum; gum arabic contains a small protein fraction, which plays a key role in its emulsifying ability.
The protein adsorbs at oil–water interfaces.
This stabilizes emulsions effectively.
Acacia gum; gum arabic exhibits low viscosity even at high concentrations, unlike many other gums.
This allows high solid loading without thickening too much.
This is useful in beverages.
Acacia gum; gum arabic shows excellent film-forming properties, creating thin, flexible, and stable films.
Acacia gum; gum arabic can encapsulate flavors and sensitive ingredients.
This improves stability and shelf life.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is widely used for microencapsulation of oils, flavors, and vitamins.
It protects active compounds from oxidation.
This enhances product performance.
Acacia gum; gum arabic demonstrates good compatibility with sugars, acids, and salts.
It performs well in complex formulations.
This increases versatility.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is stable over a wide pH range, especially in slightly acidic conditions.
It maintains functionality in beverages.
This supports food applications.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is biodegradable and fermentable, acting as a dietary fiber in the human body.
It can support gut health.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is a highly soluble, low-viscosity hydrocolloid with strong emulsifying and encapsulating abilities, making it essential in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is a dried exudate obtained from the stems and branches of Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or closely related species of Acacia (fam. Leguminosae). A. seyal is a closely related species.
Acacia gum; gum arabic consists mainly of high-molecular weight polysaccharides and their calcium, magnesium, and potassium salts, which on hydrolysis yield arabinose, galactose, rhamnose, and glucuronic acid.
Acacia gum; gum arabic of commerce may contain extraneous materials such as sand and pieces of bark which must be removed before use in food.
Uses Of Acacia gum; gum arabic:
Acacia gum; gum arabic is widely used in the food industry as an emulsifier and stabilizer (E414).
Acacia gum; gum arabic stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions, especially in beverages.
This improves product consistency.
In soft drinks and flavor emulsions, it helps disperse essential oils uniformly.
Acacia gum; gum arabic prevents phase separation.
This enhances product stability.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used in confectionery products, such as candies and chewing gum.
It provides texture and binding properties.
This improves product quality.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is applied in bakery products as a stabilizer and moisture-retention agent.
Acacia gum; gum arabic helps maintain softness.
This improves shelf life.
In microencapsulation systems, it is used to encapsulate flavors, vitamins, and oils.
Acacia gum; gum arabic protects sensitive ingredients from oxidation.
This enhances stability.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations as a binder and suspending agent.
It helps form tablets and stabilize suspensions.
This supports drug delivery.
In cosmetic and personal-care products, it acts as a film-forming and stabilizing agent.
Acacia gum; gum arabic improves texture and consistency.
This enhances product performance.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used in printing inks and coatings as a binder.
It helps pigments adhere to surfaces.
This supports industrial applications.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is applied in dietary fiber and nutraceutical products due to its fermentable fiber content.
It supports digestive health.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used wherever emulsification, stabilization, encapsulation, and film formation are required across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used in instant beverage powders to improve dispersibility and stabilize flavor systems.
Acacia gum; gum arabic helps powders dissolve uniformly.
This enhances product performance.
In flavor and fragrance encapsulation, it is widely used to protect volatile compounds.
Acacia gum; gum arabic prevents evaporation and oxidation.
This improves shelf life.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is applied in ice cream and frozen desserts to stabilize structure and prevent ice crystal growth.
It improves texture.
This enhances sensory quality.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used in sauces and dressings to maintain uniform dispersion of ingredients.
It prevents separation.
This improves consistency.
In dietary fiber supplements, it serves as a soluble fiber source.
Acacia gum; gum arabic supports gut microbiota.
This improves nutritional value.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is applied in lozenges and syrups in pharmaceutical formulations as a soothing and stabilizing agent.
It improves texture and delivery.
This enhances patient experience.
In cosmetic products such as facial masks and hair products, it forms a thin film on the surface.
Acacia gum; gum arabic provides tightening and conditioning effects.
This improves performance.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used in adhesives and glues as a natural binder.
It provides adhesion and flexibility.
This supports industrial use.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is also applied in textile finishing and paper coatings to improve surface properties and binding of pigments.
It enhances durability and appearance.
Acacia gum; gum arabic is used wherever stabilization, encapsulation, binding, film formation, and fiber functionality are required across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial sectors.
Safety Profile Of Acacia gum; gum arabic:
Acacia gum; gum arabic presents very low hazard potential, as it is a natural polysaccharide widely consumed in foods and generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
Acacia gum; gum arabic has a long history of safe use.
However, standard handling precautions are recommended for industrial forms.
Skin contact is typically low risk, but prolonged exposure to powder may cause mild dryness or irritation in sensitive individuals.
No significant toxicity is expected.
Protective gloves are recommended in industrial handling.
Eye contact may cause mild mechanical irritation.
Symptoms include redness and discomfort due to particulate matter.
Eyes should be rinsed with water if exposure occurs.
Acacia gum; gum arabic inhalation of dust may cause respiratory irritation.
Fine powder can irritate the nose and throat, especially in high concentrations.
Adequate ventilation and dust control are recommended.
Ingestion is considered safe at normal dietary levels, as it is used as a food additive and dietary fiber.
Excessive intake may cause mild gastrointestinal effects such as bloating or gas.
This is due to its fermentable fiber nature.