 |
 |
 |
||
| Beverages | Bakery | Confections | ||
 |
 |
 |
||
| Pharmaceutical | Lithography | Industrial | ||
 |
 |
 |
||
| Encapsulation | Dressing/Sauces | Fiber | ||
 |
 |
 |
||
| Meats | Cosmetics | Home |
Gum Acacia -- Acacia senegal -- is widely used as the preferred emulsifier for citrus oil containing flavor emulsions. The ability of the gum to stabilize foam is still used in the manufacture of beer and soft drinks. Gum Acacia is also used to clarify wine and fix tannins.
Flavor/Fragrance Encapsulation
Gum Acacia (Acacia senegal) and Gum Acacia (seyal) -- are used extensively in the production of spray dried flavors and fragrances. They are used to stabilize emulsions and when subsequently spray dried, the gum prevents evaporation and oxidative deterioration of the flavor/ fragrance oils or absorption of water from the air.
Gum Acacia (senegal) and Gum Acacia (seyal) are widely used in the baking industry for their low water absorption properties. The gums are cold water soluble and have impressive adhesive properties for use in glazes and toppings. Gum Tragacanth is still a preferred ingredient in bakery emulsions, particularly used in conjunction with Gum Acacia (senegal), because of its resistance to emulsion breakdown under high heat conditions coupled with its contribution to desired viscosity.
Gum Acacia (senegal) and Gum Acacia (seyal) have widespread usage as suspending agents, emulsifiers, adhesives and binders in tabletting and in demulcent syrups. Gum Tragacanth has widespread use as a suspending agent and emulsifier in liquid preparations. Gum Karaya is used widely in denture adhesive and colostomy seal applications. It is used to increase the smoothness and adhesiveness of these preparations.Gum Ghatti finds use as a suspending agent in specific pharmaceutical liquid systems.
Among their many uses, Gum Acacia senegal and Gum Acacia seyal function as stabilizers in lotions and screens. They increase viscosity, impart spreading properties, give a protective coating and smooth feel. Gum Tragacanth is used as a suspending agent and viscosifier in hand creams, also contributing a protective coating and smooth handfeel.
A major use for Gum Acacia (senegal) particularly Gum Acacia (seyal). A concentrated source of soluble dietary fiber – exceeds 85% on a dry basis. Gum Acacias have widespread application in diet or meal-replacer drinks because of their low viscosity, bland flavor and high fiber content.
Gum Acacia is a key ingredient in the micro-encapsulation process in the production of carbonless paper. In textiles it is found in waterproof emulsions and sizings. Gum Acacia works as a binder for color pigments in crayons. The list of uses goes on -- ink and pigment manufacture, ceramics, liquid insecticides, polishes, paints, etc. Gum Tragacanth is used as a suspending agent in sprayed glazes and ceramics as well as an emulsion stabilizer in auto polishes. Gum Ghatti is used successfully as a stabilizer in paraffin emulsions for the coated paper board industry. Gum Karaya is used in paper processing as a de-flocculent for specialty paper applications such as tea bags.
Gum Acacias are used in the preparation of etching and plating solutions in the lithography industry. The gum functions as a sensitizer for plates, as an ingredient in fountain solutions, plate washs and protective coatings for the plates in storage.
Gum Karaya is used in the processed meats industry where it provides good water retention and cohesive properties.
Gum Tragacanth - the original ingredient for spoonable dressings, salad dressing and sauces. Gum Tragacanth contributes a smooth, short texture while adding a high degree of emulsion stability. Gum Acacia is used in combination with other gums, including Tragacanth, to enhance oil/water emulsion stability.
Perhaps second only to its uses in the flavor and beverage industries, Gum Acacia (senegal), and to an ever growing degree, Gum Acacia (seyal) have found widespread use in the confectionery industry. Used primarily to retard sugar crystallization and emulsify fat, the gum is used in a wide variety of confections. In high sugar pieces, the gum has been used in concentrations from 10 - 45%. Typically, the gum is dissolved in water, mixed with sugar, concentrated and finally, flavor is added. As an emulsifier, Gum Acacia functions in keeping fat distributed uniformly throughout the piece and preventing the fat from migrating to the surface. This property makes Gum Acacia useful in caramel and toffee confections. Gum Acacia (senegal) and Gum Acacia (seyal) are also used as a glaze and as a component in various chewing gums (thickener and contributes a softer chew), cough drops and lozenges. Lozenges typically consist of a mix of powdered sugar and a concentrated solution of Gum Acacia (senegal) or Gum Acacia (seyal). With panned pieces, the gum provides a protective initial coat and acts as a plasticizer for the subsequent sugar coating. Although calorie content for Gum Acacia and Gum Acacia has not been firmly established, it is an integral ingredient in reduced or non-sugar containing hard candies and gum drops. Acacias continue to be used in various gum candies – chewy or soft gums ("FRENCH GUM") containing arabic, starch, sugar and corn syrup, acid and hard gums – arabic, sugar/corn syrup, acid. It is advised that for the highest quality pieces, combined sugar and corn syrup levels should not exceed 45% and the gum content should be 55%.
