E413 TRAGACANTH

E413 Tragacanth is especially valued because it remains stable over a wide pH range.
E413 Tragacanth improves emulsion stability and formulation robustness.
E413 Tragacanth is best described as a natural plant-derived hydrocolloid gum used to thicken, stabilize, emulsify, and improve texture in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and technical formulations.

CAS Number: 9000-65-1
Molecular Weight: 840000
EINECS Number: 232-552-5

Synonyms: Gum E413 Tragacanth, Astracantha adanica gum, Astracantha gummifera gum, Astragalus adanicus gum, Astragalus adpressus gum, Astragalus erianthus gum, Astragalus gummifer resin, Astragalus noemiae gum, DTXSID2021369, E-413, FEMA No. 3079, Goat thorn bush resin, Gum E413 Tragacanth milkvetch gum, Gum E413 Tragacanth milkvetch resin, INS NO.413, INS-413, RefChem:922600, E413 Tragacanth, E413 Tragacanth Gum, E413 Tragacanth milkvetch resin, E413 Tragacanth Gum, E413 Tragacantha eriantha gum, E413 Tragacantha gummifera gum, E413 Tragacantha trojana gum, 232-552-5, 2944357O2O, 9000-65-1, Astragalus gummifer, Goat's thorn, Gum Shiraz, HOG Gum, Shiraz gum, Tragtex R, Gum E413 Tragacanth power;E413 Tragacanth GUM (ASTRAGALUS SPP.);Astragalus gum;Tragant gum;GUM SHIRAZ;SHIRAZ GUM;E413 Tragacanth GUM;ASTRAGALUS GUMMIFER GUM

E413 Tragacanth is studied because its swollen “bassorin” fraction forms a gel matrix that can slow the diffusion of active compounds, making it useful for gradual release systems.
This is relevant in experimental drug delivery and functional food design.
E413 Tragacanth improves release control and formulation engineering.

E413 Tragacanth contributes a smooth, slightly elastic mouthfeel in liquid systems, which can be used to mimic fat-like texture in low-fat formulations.
E413 Tragacanth helps improve perceived creaminess without adding fats.
This improves sensory texture and fat replacement design.

E413 Tragacanth is relatively stable across a wide pH range compared with some other natural gums, which allows it to function in both mildly acidic foods and neutral pharmaceutical systems without losing much viscosity.
However, very strong acids or prolonged high heat can still degrade it.
E413 Tragacanth improves formulation robustness and processing tolerance.

It is odorless or slightly characteristic in smell and stable under dry conditions.
E413 Tragacanth improves handling and long-term storage stability.
E413 Tragacanth acts as a hydrocolloid, meaning it binds water and increases viscosity, stabilizes emulsions, prevents sedimentation, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid systems.

E413 Tragacanth is the dried exudate from several species of Astragalus (A. gummifer Labillardiere, or other Asiatic species of Astragalus), a shrub that grows wild in mountainous regions of the Middle East, particularly Iran. 
The gum is obtained by making incisions in the taproots of the plant; to a lesser extent, the branches also are tapped. 
The gum exudate is in the form of curled ribbons or flakes, which become horny on drying. 

Collections are made by hand in May to October and are sorted, graded, packed and shipped. 
The processor then further grades, cleans, mills and blends the gum, and sells it in the form of ribbons, flakes, granules or powder.
E413 Tragacanth is a natural gum obtained from the dried sap of several species of Middle Eastern legumes of the genus Astragalus, including A. adscendens, A. gummifer, A. brachycalyx, and A. E413 Tragacantha. 

Some of these species are known collectively under the common names "goat's thorn" and "locoweed". 
E413 Tragacanth is sometimes called Shiraz gum, shiraz, gum elect or gum dragon.
The name derives from the Greek words tragos (meaning "goat") and akantha ("thorn"). Iran is the biggest producer of this gum.

E413 Tragacanth is also important in rheology (flow behavior) control, because it doesn’t just increase viscosity—it produces a non-Newtonian, shear-thinning system, meaning it becomes less viscous when stirred or shaken but thickens again when left at rest.
This is especially useful for products that need to pour easily but stay stable in storage.
E413 Tragacanth improves flow control and product stability.

E413 Tragacanth works mainly by increasing the viscosity of the water phase and forming a protective colloid around oil droplets, which slows down droplet movement and prevents coalescence (droplets merging).
It is not a strong emulsifier by itself, but a very effective stabilizer.
E413 Tragacanth improves emulsion longevity and phase separation resistance.

In suspension systems (pharmaceutical and food), it is particularly valuable because it can keep heavy, insoluble particles evenly distributed for long periods without rapid sedimentation.
Even if particles settle, they can be easily redispersed due to the gel-like network it forms.
E413 Tragacanth improves suspension uniformity and dosing accuracy.

E413 Tragacanth improves viscosity control and formulation stability.
E413 Tragacanth is a complex mixture of polysaccharides, mainly composed of two fractions: E413 Tragacanthin (water-soluble) and bassorin (swells in water but does not fully dissolve).
This unique structure gives it both strong thickening and stabilizing properties.

E413 Tragacanth improves rheological performance and texture control.
E413 Tragacanth appears as white to yellowish, flaky or ribbon-like dried resin pieces, which swell significantly in water to form a gel-like or viscous colloidal solution.

storage temp.: room temp
solubility: H2O: soluble 20 mg/mL
form: powder
color: Buff coloured powder
Odor: Odorless
biological source: plant (Astragalus gummifer)
Water Solubility: Slightly soluble in water.
Merck: 14,4581
Stability: Stable. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents. High levels of dust in the air create the risk of explosion.
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: FRAGRANCE; EMULSION STABILISING; BINDING; FILM FORMING; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING

E413 Tragacanth is considered gentle and suitable for sensitive formulations.
E413 Tragacanth improves cosmetic stability and sensory quality.

In industrial applications, it is used as a natural binder and thickener in textiles, inks, and adhesives, where its strong film-forming and water-retention properties help improve product performance.
E413 Tragacanth is especially useful in traditional printing and dyeing processes.
E413 Tragacanth improves binding strength and material consistency.

In confectionery and bakery systems, E413 Tragacanth can be used to control crystallization of sugar and improve texture in icings and fillings, helping create smoother and more stable products.
It also helps retain moisture in soft confections.
E413 Tragacanth improves texture control and moisture stability.

In emulsion science, E413 Tragacanth is valued because it can stabilize oil-in-water systems without requiring high shear processing, making it useful in formulations where gentle mixing is required.
This is important for heat-sensitive or delicate systems.
This improves emulsion stability and processing flexibility.

In plant-based and natural product design, it is often preferred because it is a natural hydrocolloid, fitting clean-label and traditional formulation trends in food and cosmetic industries.
It is considered a classic natural thickener alongside gum arabic and pectin.
E413 Tragacanth improves clean-label formulation appeal.

In biomedical and research contexts, E413 Tragacanth has been studied for controlled release systems due to its swelling and gel-forming properties, which can help regulate how active substances are released over time.
This is useful in experimental drug delivery systems.
E413 Tragacanth improves controlled release and formulation science.

E413 Tragacanth is biodegradable because it is a natural polysaccharide that can be broken down by microorganisms, making it relatively eco-friendly compared to synthetic polymers.
This supports sustainable formulation practices.
E413 Tragacanth improves biodegradability and environmental compatibility.

In traditional and historical applications, E413 Tragacanth has been used for centuries in Persian and Middle Eastern medicine, inks, and art materials due to its strong binding and film-forming ability when dried.
It was especially important before synthetic polymers existed.
E413 Tragacanth improves historical material understanding and cultural relevance.

In industrial coating and printing systems, it acts as a natural film-former, helping inks and dyes adhere evenly to surfaces while preventing bleeding or spreading.
This was historically important in textile printing and still appears in specialty applications.
E413 Tragacanth improves coating uniformity and application control.

In cosmetic sensory science, it is used to improve product “feel” by giving formulations a slightly silky, gel-like texture without greasiness, making it suitable for lightweight lotions and gels.
It also helps stabilize emulsions without synthetic thickeners.
This improves cosmetic elegance and texture balance.

In environmental behavior, E413 Tragacanth is fully biodegradable and breaks down into simple sugars through microbial action, meaning it does not accumulate in ecosystems like synthetic polymers can.
E413 Tragacanth makes it compatible with green chemistry and natural product design.

E413 Tragacanth improves sustainability and environmental safety.
E413 Tragacanth gum occurs as flattened, lamellated, frequently curved fragments, or as straight or spirally twisted linear pieces from 0.5–2.5mm in thickness; it may also be obtained in a powdered form. 
White to yellowish in color, E413 Tragacanth is a translucent, odorless substance, with an insipid mucilaginous taste.

E413 Tragacanth is widely used in food formulation systems, especially in sauces, dressings, and flavored emulsions, where it helps maintain uniform texture and prevents separation of oil and water phases over time.
Its high viscosity at low concentrations makes it efficient compared to many other gums.
E413 Tragacanth improves product stability and mouthfeel consistency.

E413 Tragacanth is used as a suspending agent in liquid medicines, helping keep insoluble drug particles evenly distributed so that each dose contains a consistent amount of active ingredient.
It is also used in cough syrups and lozenges as a soothing base.
E413 Tragacanth improves dosage uniformity and medicinal stability.

In cosmetic formulations, E413 Tragacanth is used in creams, lotions, and gels to stabilize emulsions and improve texture, giving products a smooth and consistent feel while preventing phase separation.
E413 Tragacanth is a natural plant gum (polysaccharide exudate) obtained from the dried sap of several species of the genus Astragalus, especially Astragalus gummifer and related species. 

E413 Tragacanth is used mainly as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, suspending agent, and binding agent in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial applications because it forms highly viscous, stable colloidal solutions in water even at low concentrations.
E413 Tragacanth is also known as gum E413 Tragacanth or E413 in the food additive system.

Uses:
E413 Tragacanth is mainly used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier aid, suspending agent, and binder because it increases viscosity, stabilizes dispersed systems, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid formulations.
In food systems, it is used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture in sauces, dressings, and confectionery.
E413 Tragacanth improves consistency and mouthfeel.

In pharmaceutical syrups, it is used as a suspending agent.
E413 Tragacanth improves dosage uniformity and stability.
E413 Tragacanth is used to stabilize gels and creams.

E413 Tragacanth improves product texture and shelf life.
In industrial applications, it is used as a binder in inks, textiles, and coatings.
This improves material adhesion and consistency.

In specialty formulations, it is used for controlled texture and viscosity modification.
This improves formulation control and sensory performance.
E413 Tragacanth is mainly used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier aid, suspending agent, and binder because it increases viscosity, stabilizes mixtures, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid systems even at low concentrations.

E413 Tragacanth is used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture in sauces, dressings, syrups, and confectionery, helping prevent separation and maintain a smooth, consistent mouthfeel.
This improves product stability and sensory quality.
In pharmaceutical syrups and suspensions, it is used as a suspending agent to keep insoluble drug particles evenly distributed, ensuring consistent dosing in every use.

E413 Tragacanth improves dosage accuracy and formulation stability.
In cosmetic formulations, it is used to stabilize emulsions in creams, lotions, gels, and serums, helping maintain a smooth texture and preventing phase separation over time.
E413 Tragacanth improves product consistency and shelf life.

In industrial applications, it is used as a natural binder and thickener in inks, textiles, adhesives, and coatings, where it improves adhesion, flow control, and uniform application.
E413 Tragacanth improves material performance and processing quality.
In confectionery and bakery products, it is used to improve texture, control crystallization (especially sugar systems), and retain moisture in soft sweets and fillings.

E413 Tragacanth improves texture smoothness and product stability.
In emulsion systems, it is used to increase viscosity of the water phase, helping stabilize oil-in-water mixtures without requiring high mechanical processing.
E413 Tragacanth improves emulsion stability and reduces separation.

E413 Tragacanth is a gum produced from a bush of the genus astragalus. 
E413 Tragacanth swells in water to give a highly viscous sol or paste. 
A 1% solution of the purest gum has a viscosity of approximately 3,400 cps, and about 2% can form a paste. Solutions have a ph of 5–6. 

E413 Tragacanth is stable at low ph and is an effective suspending agent because of its stability and acid resistance. 
It is used in salad dressings, sauces, fruit fillings, and citrus beverages. 
E413 Tragacanth is also termed gum E413 Tragacanth.

E413 Tragacanth gum is an effective emulsifying agent, binder, film former, and viscosity controller, it is also used as a stabilizing ingredient in lotions. E413 Tragacanth gum is derived from the resin of the Astragalus gummifer shrub.
E413 Tragacanth gum is used as an emulsifying and suspending agent in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations. 
It is used in creams, gels, and emulsions at various concentrations according to the application of the formulation and the grade of gum used.

E413 Tragacanth gum is also used similarly in cosmetics and food products, and has been used as a diluent in tablet formulations.
E413 Tragacanth is mainly used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier, suspending agent, and binder because it increases viscosity, stabilizes mixtures, and improves texture in liquid and semi-solid systems.
In food products, it is used to stabilize emulsions and improve texture in sauces, dressings, and confectionery.

E413 Tragacanth improves consistency and mouthfeel.
In pharmaceuticals, it is used as a suspending agent in syrups and liquid medicines.
This improves dosage uniformity and stability.

In cosmetics, it is used to stabilize creams, lotions, and gels.
E413 Tragacanth improves product texture and shelf life.

In industrial applications, it is used as a binder and thickener in inks, textiles, and adhesives.
E413 Tragacanth improves material performance and consistency.

Safety Profile:
E413 Tragacanth improves safety awareness for sensitive users.
Inhalation of fine E413 Tragacanth powder may cause respiratory irritation, especially in industrial environments where dust is generated during handling.
Proper ventilation and dust control are recommended.

This improves occupational safety.
Skin contact is generally non-irritating, but prolonged exposure to concentrated solutions may cause mild dryness in sensitive skin.
Washing with water is sufficient.

E413 Tragacanth improves handling safety.
Eye contact may cause mechanical irritation, especially from dry particles or dust exposure.
Eye protection is recommended in manufacturing settings.

E413 Tragacanth improves workplace protection.
From a toxicological perspective, E413 Tragacanth is considered non-toxic and safe for consumption within regulated food additive limits, as it is a natural polysaccharide that is not absorbed in significant amounts by the human body.

Mildly toxic by ingestion a mild allergen. 
A skin and eye irritant combustible when exposed to heat or flame. 
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

E413 Tragacanth has been used for many years in oral pharmaceutical formulations and food products, and is generally regarded as an essentially nontoxic material. 
E413 Tragacanth has been shown to be noncarcinogenic. However, hypersensitivity reactions, which are occasionaly severe, have been reported following ingestion of products containing E413 Tragacanth. 
Contact dermatitis has also been reported following the topical use of E413 Tragacanth formulations.

E413 Tragacanth is generally considered a low hazard natural gum, widely used in food and pharmaceutical applications, but it can still present mild risks depending on exposure level and sensitivity.
The main hazard is mild irritation or allergic reaction, especially in sensitive individuals, though this is relatively rare.
Most users tolerate it well due to its natural polysaccharide structure.