GUM ARABIC / ACACIA GUM (E414 food grade), kg

Gum Arabic, also known as gum sudani, gum acacia, gum arabic, gum acacia, gum acacia, gum acacia, Senegalese gum, gum cashew, and by other names, is a natural gum originally composed of the hardened sap of two species of acacia. Gum Arabic is a complex mixture of glycoproteins and polysaccharides, mainly polymers of arabinose and galactose. It is water soluble, edible and mainly used in the food and soft drink industry as a stabiliser with E number E414 (I414 in the USA). Gum Arabic is a key ingredient in traditional lithography and is used in printing, ink production, adhesives, cosmetics and a wide range of industries including ink viscosity control and textiles.

In the paint industry, Gum Arabic is used as a binder for watercolour paintings because it is easily soluble in water. The pigment of any colour is suspended in the acacia resin in varying amounts, resulting in watercolour paints. Water acts as a diluent or thinner, diluting the watercolour paint and helping to transfer the paint to a surface such as paper. Once all the moisture has evaporated, the acacia resin usually does not bind the pigment to the surface of the paper, but is completely absorbed in the deeper layers. If little water is used, once evaporated, the acacia resin acts as a true ink-film binder, increasing the brightness and preventing the colours from lightening. Gum Arabic allows more delicate control of washes by facilitating the distribution of pigment particles. In addition, acacia resin slows down the evaporation of water, resulting in a slightly longer working time. The addition of a little gum arabic to the watercolour pigment and the water makes it easier to lift the pigment from the paper and can therefore be a useful tool for bringing out the colour in watercolour painting.

In ceramics, gum arabic has a long history as an additive to ceramic glazes. It acts as a binder, helping the glaze to adhere to the clay before it is fired, thus minimising damage during production. As a secondary effect, it also acts as a deflocculant, increasing the smoothness of the glaze mixture, but also increasing the likelihood of it settling into a solid phase if it is not used for some time. The resin is usually prepared into a solution in hot water (typically 10-25 g/l) and after any ball milling, a concentration of 0,02-3,0 % of resin is added to the glaze solution, per dry weight of glaze. The gum burns off at low temperatures during firing, leaving no residue in the glaze. Recently, especially in commercial production, gum arabic has often been replaced by more refined and consistent alternatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose.

In the food industry, gum arabic is used as a stabiliser, emulsifier and thickener in icings, fillings, soft candies, chewing gum and other confectionery, as well as in the binding of sweeteners and flavouring agents for soft drinks. A solution of sugar and gum Arabic in water, gomme syrup, sometimes used in cocktails to prevent crystallisation of the sugar and to give a smooth texture. Acacia gum is a complex polysaccharide and soluble dietary fibre which is generally recognised as safe for human consumption. Some people who consume doses of more than 30g or more per day develop harmless flatulence. It does not break down in the intestine but is fermented in the large intestine by micro-organisms; it is a prebiotic (unlike a probiotic).

Acacia lime is used in cosmetics for its film-forming properties. When mixed with water, it forms a kind of gel that improves the texture of products. Gum Arabic is widely used in mascaras and eyeliners to improve their hold. In toothpaste, it can also have an active anti-caries effect, as can sodium fluoride. It is allowed in organic cosmetic products. It is also used in water-based lubricants. In cosmetics, we can find acacia resin used as a masking agent: it reduces or suppresses the main odour or taste of a product.

In engraving, gum arabic is also used to protect and engrave the image in lithographic processes, both from traditional stones and from aluminium plates. In lithography, the resin itself can be used to engrave very light tones, e.g. those produced using a fifth pencil. Phosphoric, nitric or tannic acid is added to acacia resin in varying concentrations to engrave darker tones to deep black. The etching process produces a thin adsorption layer which attracts water and ensures that the oil-based ink does not stick to those areas. The rubber is also essential for what is sometimes called paper lithography, the printing of an image created with a laser printer or photocopier.

The quantities used depend on the desired thickness. The more is added, the thicker the product. Bean gum is also not self-gel forming like carob gum[6].However, when treated with borax or calcium, the molecules of bean gum cross-link to form a gel. In water, these gums are non-ionic and hydrocolloidal. They are not affected by the ionic strength or pH of the solution, but degrade at extremes of pH and temperature (i.e. pH 3 at 50 °C)[6] Bean limes remain stable at solution pH > 5-7. Strong acids cause hydrolysis and destroy viscosity. Strong alkalis in high concentrations also tend to reduce viscosity. Lime is insoluble in most hydrocarbon solvents. Bean gum has a high structural viscosity. They are highly thixotropic at concentrations above 1%, with little thixotropy below 0.3%. The viscosity of bean gum is synergistic with xanthan gum.

In metalworking, guar gum is used in the quenching of steels, in the curing process to give the steel a carbon content and to make the curing solution stable and uniform and to reduce the formation of steam bubbles.

In fuel products, gum arabic is used as a binding agent in the production of fuel coal. Charcoal, the vast majority of which is powdered, is mixed with this powder and allowed to dry in order to form charcoal lumps or tablets. The charcoal thus formed is used in water pipes, barbecues, campfires, etc. Gum Arabic is also used as a water-soluble binder in firework compositions.

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*- The pictures of the goods may not correspond to the actual appearance, colour, assembly or shape of the goods and their packaging. The information in the product description is of a general nature and may not be the same as the information on the packaging of the product or the exact use of the product. The information given on stock and prices may, in certain cases, differ from the actual price and stock of the goods
**- The product complies with the requirements for food additive E414 but is not intended for use as a food additive.