Xanthan Gum
Product Analysis
Xanthan gum is a polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas and has good solubility in water, excellent biocompatibility, innate safety, and high molecular weight polysaccharides with branched polymer chains. This material has many industrial applications, including As a food additive
Xanthan gum is an effective thickening and stabilizing agent to prevent material separation. Xanthan gum takes its name from a bacterial species called Xanthomonas that can be produced from simple sugars using a fermentation process.
Manufacturers produce xanthan gum by extracting bacteria from various plants. The final product does not contain any live bacteria, so there is no risk of xanthan gum infection.
Uses of xanthan gum
Food industries
In foods, xanthan gum is common in salad sauce and other sauces. Although it is not an emulsifier, it prevents the oil from separating by stabilizing the emulsion. Xanthan Gum also helps to suspend solid particles such as spices.
Xanthan gum helps to create the desired texture in many ice creams. Toothpaste often contains xanthan gum as a binder to keep the product uniform and homogeneous. Xanthan Gum also helps thicken commercial egg substitutes made from egg whites to replace fats and emulsifiers in yolks.
It is preferred for thickening fluids for people with swallowing disorders because it does not change the color or taste of foods or beverages at normal consumption levels. In gluten-free baking, xanthan gum is used to add adhesion to the dough. Xanthan Gum is used in a wide range of food products such as sauces, meat and poultry products, bakery products, confectionery, beverages, dairy products and so on.
Xanthan Gum can improve the texture, consistency, taste, shelf life and appearance of many foods. It also stabilizes foods and helps some foods withstand different temperatures and pH. In addition, it prevents food from splitting and allows them to come out of their containers slowly.
It is often used in gluten-free cooking because it can provide the elasticity and fluffiness of gluten to traditional cooked products.
Here are some common foods that contain xanthan gum :
- Salad sauce
- Bakery products
- Fruit juice
- Soup
- Ice cream
- Sauce
- Syrup
- Gluten-free products
- Low fat foods
Cosmetics and personal care products
Xanthan gum is used to prepare hydrating gels. It is also used in oil-in-water emulsions to increase droplet accumulation. Because of its potential applications in tissue engineering (a subset of biomaterial structures), xanthan gum has undergone initial research to investigate its use in the fabrication of hydrogels and scaffolds in three-dimensional tissue formation.
Xanthan Gum is found in many personal care and beauty products. This material allows these products to thicken, but still come out of their containers easily. It also allows solid particles to be suspended in liquids.
Here are some common products in the field of personal care that contain xanthan gum content :
- Toothpaste
- worms
- Lotions
- Shampoo
Oil industries
Xanthan gum is used in large quantities to thicken drilling mud. These liquids carry the solids cut by the drilling bit to the surface.
Xanthan gum offers a simple and uncomplicated rheology step. When the flow stops, the solids remain suspended in the drilling fluid. Extensive use of horizontal drilling and the demand for better management of drilling solids have led to its widespread use.
Xanthan gum has also been added to concrete poured into water to increase viscosity and prevent leaching.
Other industrial products
Xanthan gum is used in many industrial products due to its resistance to different temperatures and pH, adhesion to surfaces and thickening of liquids (while maintaining proper flow).
Common industrial products containing xanthan gum include:
- Fungicides, herbicides and insecticides
- Tile cleaners, grout, oven and toilet bowl
- Colors
- Fluids used in oil drilling
- Adhesives such as wallpaper glue
Consumption
The higher the ratio of xanthan gum to liquid, the thicker the liquid. An emulsion can be formed with 0.1% (by weight). Increase the amount of xanthan gum; The thicker and more stable emulsion gives up to 1% xanthan gum. One teaspoon of xanthan gum weighs about 2.5 grams and brings a cup of water (250 ml) to a concentration of 1%.
For the production of foam, xanthan gum 0.2-0.8% step is usually used. Larger amounts cause larger bubbles and denser foam. Egg white powder (0.2-2.0%) with xanthan 0.1-0.4% produces bubbles similar to soap bubbles.
The effect of xanthan gum on health
Xanthan gum has tremendous health effects, although the peak of this effect is when xanthan gum supplements are also taken. Cholesterol lowering, weight loss, its anti-cancer properties, proper replacement with saliva in people suffering from dry mouth and similar cases are some of the health effects of xanthan gum.
On the other hand, in the evaluations performed on workers exposed to xanthan gum, no evidence of association with respiratory symptoms or problems has been found, and therefore this product is considered as a completely safe additive.
The final word
Xanthan gum is a popular additive for thickening, suspension and stabilization. It is found in many foods and products and is safe for most people, according to research from reputable global organizations. Even if consumed in large amounts, it will have health benefits, although this high consumption can increase the risk of digestive problems.
While many studies have confirmed the safety of using xanthan gum in the form of food, a number of human studies have suggested its use as a supplement. Therefore, note that consuming xanthan gum at very high levels is not the only standard method in the diet, and the desired health effects should probably be achieved along with the use of supplements.
At the same time, enjoy eating foods that contain xanthan gum and feel safe, because consuming this valuable substance is completely safe and happens to be good for your health.
Gostaresh Tejarat Sadr Pazh Company, with more than ten years of experience in supplying raw materials for the food industry, has taken steps to sell xanthan gum with excellent quality and very reasonable prices.
To buy xanthan gum and know the price of xanthan gum, contact the experts of the collection through our contact us page.