GUM ARABIC QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is Gum Arabic (aka Acacia Gum)?
Gum Arabic is a form of natural gum produced from the hardened sap of Acacia trees throughout the Savanna Belt of Africa. There are two different kinds of trees which produce the Gum Arabic and these are none other than the Acacia Seyal throughout Africa and the Acacia Senegal native only in Sudan. Then, this is aged or dried for a year before processed into the spray dried powder. It is described as a cold water-soluble polysaccharide and a multi-functional hydrocolloid, which features an extremely balanced chemical composition.
The food manufacturers mostly use this as a good stabilizer in drinks and food. Pepsi and Coca cola use it for its emulsifier properties. The soft drinks industry happens to be the largest consumer of Gum Arabic in the world. Over the past 30 years much research has been done regarding its prebiotic and dietary fiber content beneficial to the health of people. This has led many in the nutritional food industry to incorporate this ingredient into their various products. Gum Arabic USA is now providing the cleanest and most easily consumed Gum Arabic through a carefully produced powder available to all American Consumers.
Is Gum Arabic (aka Acacia Gum) an emulsifier?
Gum Arabic as an emulsifier is a very potent product that bears the most ideal stabilizing properties. It’s used by beverage companies because it’s the best natural emulsifier out there. This product has undergone the necessary tests and processes that prove that it is very effective. It is also being used across many industries and its extensive array of applications make it one of the most in demand ingredients that you can find in the market today. Also referred to as the Rolls Royce of gums, gum Arabic has been extensively used in the food industry as an adhesive, stabilizer, thickener and is also heavily used as emulsifier in many beverages.
Gum Arabic is an emulsifier used in flavor industries and essential oil. The AGP complex is the primary component responsible for the ability of gum Arabic to stabilize emulsions through the association of AGP amphiphilic protein component with the surface of the oil droplets while a fraction of hydrophilic carbohydrate toward aqueous phase, which prevents aggregation of the droplets through electrostatic repulsion. But, only one to two percent of gum Arabic is absorbed into the interface of oil and water and participates in emulsification. Therefore, over twelve percent of gum Arabic is needed to stabilize emulsions with twenty percent. If there’s not enough amount of gum Arabic to cover gum drops, unstable emulsion is formed, and coalescence and flocculation occurs.
Is Gum Arabic (aka Acacia Gum) a Stabilizer?
Chemically, gum Arabic is a complex combination of macromolecules of various composition and size. Nowadays, the features and properties of gum Arabic have been explored and developed widely and this is being used in a variety of industrial sectors including lithography, ceramics, textiles, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, encapsulation, and much more. When it comes to food industry, it’s used as a thicker, stabilizer, and emulsifier agent. Gum Arabic is used in confectionery, dairy, bakery, beverage, as well as a microencapsulating agent.
What is Hashab Gum Arabic (aka Acacia Senegal)?
Hashab gum Arabic is a dried exudation acquired from the branches and stems of Acacia Senegal tree present only in Sudan now. Hashab gum Arabic comes with a color that’s pale white to yellowish-orange as well as solid. Once ground, the pieces have a glassy appearance and are much paler. The fact that this has glycoproteins and saccharides provides it with its nutritional and health properties. It’s almost odorless, tastless and colorless when mixed with water. This is the type of Gum used for health and nutritional purposes. Its also the type of gum used by the main beverage companies as an emulsifier.
What is the difference between Gum Arabic (aka Acacia Gum) and Xanthan Gum?
Gum Arabic and Xanthan gum are widely used in baking industry. Even if it may sound to be the same, these two have differences. Gum Arabic is the natural gum made from the sap of acacia tree found in the regions of African Sahel and primarily Sudan. Xanthan gum is derived from wheat, soy or corn. Gum Arabic is used in the food industry as an additive emulsifier in beverages and foods and soft drinks. Its also used as a thickener in confectionery, jelly, liquid, dessert mixes, soup bases, and much more. Once used in baking, it can help cakes to rise and increase the cake’s natural fiber content. In the bakeries, you’ll find the gum that’s widely sprayed on the pastries and breads to give a glossy look as well as to help keep the content of moisture, which increase the shelf life of the product.
Xanthan gum is known as food additive and this is safe once used in moderate amounts, assuming you’re not allergic to it. This is a type of fiber and several people could find this indigestible. If you’re allergic to gluten, you have to avoid and be cautious with Xanthan gum because this could be from corn. It isn’t also recommended for pregnant women and those who are breast feeding, have intestine pain or bowel problems.
What is the source of Gum Arabic (aka Acacia Gum)?
Nowadays, gum Arabic is harvested mostly in Sudan’s Kordofan region providing the vast majority of global supply. Its also harvested in Africa’s Savanna belt nations including Eritrea, Chad, Sudan, Senegal, Nigeria, Niger, Mali, Kenya, and Mauritania.
What are Probiotics?
Probiotics have gained much attention recently. TV commercials showing yogurt with some live active cultures, kombucha might have peaked your interest about probiotics, and news bits discuss good bacteria’s miraculous power. While probiotics may be helpful in introducing the new colonies of good bacteria in intestines, they could thrive only with the presence of the prebiotics. Probiotics get lots of attention, yet the discussions regarding prebiotic supplements are only few.
What are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are the food for good bacteria, which help them to flourish and grow, benefiting many aspects of your health. Recent studies are showing that gum Arabic can be a powerful prebiotic. Dietary fiber, especially from gum Arabic, is prebiotic and important to strengthen the good bacteria’s population in the gut.
What are Gum Arabic Prebiotics?
If you happen to be familiar with gum arabic, chances are you are already aware that this is being used in both the nutraceutical and food industry as a form of emulsifier. Aside from this, gum arabic also contains a significant amount of fiber. This is also being sold as a form of fiber supplement, usually marketed using the name acacia fiber. The dietary fiber, especially one taken from gum arabic, is a type of prebiotic and is important to strengthen your gut’s good bacteria population. A certain study from British Journal of Nutrition revealed that supplementation using gum arabic can increase the strains of good bacteria, most notably Lactobaccili bacteria and Bifidobacteria
Is Gum Arabic a Dietary Fiber?
Many research studies confirm Gum Arabic has a very high (as much as 89%) dietary fiber content. The FDA has changed the classification of Acacia Gum many times over the past 30 years. Here is the latest FDA link regarding Gum Arabic as a Dietary Fiber.
What is Acacia Fiber?
Gum Arabic is found out to be rich in both polysaccharides and glycoproteins. These form the basis of the Soluble Fiber composition in Gum Arabic. Acacia Gum is known for its high dietary fiber content and people at times consume this on its own as a form of laxative or for improving their digestive health. The Fiber composition in Acacia Gum has rendered of great health value.