Product Overview
Gum Arabic is a natural, plant-derived polysaccharide obtained from Acacia senegal and related species. EZ Elements supplies it as a coarse-grained, fast-soluble spray-dried powder. It is odourless and has a slightly acidic pH of 4.0 to 5.0 at 25% in water.
According to the technical data sheet, Gum Arabic provides stabilizing, emulsifying, binding and film-forming properties for food and beverage, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and technical applications. Actual performance depends on the formula, process and concentration used.
Why It Is a Go-To Ingredient
- Natural origin: A plant-derived polysaccharide from Acacia senegal and related species.
- Cold-water dispersibility: Disperses in cold water to form a colloidal solution.
- Multiple functions: Listed in the technical data sheet for stabilizing, emulsifying, binding and film-forming.
- Defined specifications: The technical data sheet sets limits for pH, ash, insoluble matter, loss on drying, viscosity, optical rotation and microbiology.
- Supporting documents: A technical data sheet, example certificate of analysis and safety data sheet are available.
- Recognized standards: Conforms to E 414, USP, FCC and BP.
Typical Applications
The uses below reflect the functions listed in the technical data sheet. Final suitability depends on your formula and process.
- Emulsions: Helps stabilize emulsions in food and beverage products.
- Binding and consistency: Supports binding and improves product consistency in food and beverage products.
- Dispersion: Promotes ingredient dispersion in food and beverage products.
- Emulsion stabilization: Helps stabilize emulsions in cosmetic applications.
- Film-forming: Provides film-forming functionality, as described in the technical data sheet.
- Binding: Provides binding functionality, as described in the technical data sheet.
Pharmaceutical & Technical Applications
- Pharmaceutical applications: Listed in the technical data sheet for stabilizing, binding and film-forming functions.
- Technical applications: Listed in the technical data sheet for stabilizing, emulsifying, binding and film-forming functions.
Technical Specifications
The table below lists product specifications from the technical data sheet.
| Property | Specification |
| Product Name | Gum Arabic |
| CAS Number | 9000-01-5 |
| Source | Acacia senegal and related species |
| Appearance | Coarse-grained, fast-soluble spray-dried powder |
| Odour | Odourless |
| Solubility | Dispersible in cold water, forming a colloidal solution |
| pH (25% in H₂O, w/w) | 4.0 – 5.0 |
| Viscosity after 24 h (25% in H₂O) | 60 – 100 mPa·s |
| Specific Optical Rotation | Dextrorotatory |
| Identification | Passes tests for tragacanth, sterculia gum, starch, dextrin, agar, glucose, fructose and tannins |
| Packing | 20 kg PE bag |
Batch-Specific Analysis (Certificate of Analysis)
The table below shows example results from a batch of Gum Arabic. This certificate of analysis is an example only. Individual batch results may vary, so refer to the certificate supplied with your batch.
| Test Item | Specification | Example Batch Result |
| Appearance | Coarse, yellowish spray-dried powder | Conforms |
| Solubility | Fast soluble in cold water, forming a colloidal solution | Conforms |
| pH (25% in H₂O, w/w) | 4.0 – 5.0 | 4.6 |
| Total ash | Max 4.0% | 3.0% |
| Insoluble matter | Max 0.1% | < 0.1% |
| Loss on drying | Max 10% | 8.1% |
| Colour (Lovibond, 25% in H₂O) | 4.0 – 10.0 | 8.1 |
| Viscosity after 24 h (25% in H₂O) | 60 – 100 mPa·s | 72 mPa·s |
| Specific optical rotation | Dextrorotatory | +40° |
| Arsenic | Max 3.0 ppm | Conforms |
| Lead | Max 2.0 ppm | Conforms |
| Mercury | Max 1.0 ppm | Conforms |
| Cadmium | Max 1.0 ppm | Conforms |
| Total plate count | Max 3000 cfu/g | 30 cfu/g |
| Yeast | Max 100 cfu/g | 0 cfu/g |
| Mould | Max 100 cfu/g | 0 cfu/g |
| E. coli (in 5 g) | Absent | Absent |
| Salmonella spp. (in 375 g) | Absent | Absent |
Why Choose EZ Elements for Gum Arabic?
- Documentation: The technical data sheet, example certificate of analysis and safety data sheet are available for this product.
- Packing: Supplied in 20 kg PE bags, as stated in the technical data sheet.
- Technical questions: Contact EZ Elements to discuss your formula, process and application.
- Wider range: Available alongside other ingredients in the EZ Elements range.
- Recognized standards: Conforms to E 414, USP, FCC and BP.
Safety, Storage & Regulatory Notes
- Hazard classification: Not classified as hazardous under EU CLP (Regulation 1272/2008). Not a dangerous good for transport, according to the safety data sheet.
- Health effects: May be a mild irritant, and a few individuals may have an allergic response. Eye contact can cause reversible injury if the product is handled incorrectly.
- First aid: For eye contact, rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical advice. For skin contact, wash with water. If high dust levels are inhaled, move to fresh air and seek medical advice.
- Dust control: Avoid dust formation and keep the workplace well ventilated. Fine powders can present a dust explosion risk. The safety data sheet gives a general dust limit of 6 mg/m³.
- Personal protection: Wear standard work clothing and protective glasses where contact is possible. Use a respiratory mask where dust concentrations are high.
- Storage: Store dry at ambient temperature, away from high temperatures, moisture, dust and direct sunlight.
- Shelf life: Gum Arabic has a three-year shelf life. Check the certificate of analysis for your batch.
- Regulatory status: Exempt from REACH registration as a natural polymer. Listed as GRAS in the US, according to the safety data sheet. Confirm requirements for the market where your product will be sold.
Usage Recommendations
The technical data sheet does not specify a recommended use level. Results depend on the formula, concentration, process temperature and other ingredients, so they may vary. We recommend running trials under your own conditions, and contacting EZ Elements for application guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Gum Arabic the same as acacia gum?
Acacia gum is a broad term for gums from Acacia species. Gum Arabic refers to the gum from Acacia senegal and related species, which is the source named in the technical data sheet.
Q2: How does Gum Arabic work as an emulsifier?
According to the technical data sheet, Gum Arabic has excellent stabilizing and emulsifying properties and is used to stabilize emulsions. Results depend on the formula.
Q3: How does concentration affect viscosity?
Viscosity increases with concentration. The specifications in this blog refer to a 25% solution in water after 24 hours. Results may vary with formula and temperature.
Q4: What is the recommended use level?
The technical data sheet does not specify a use level. The right level depends on your application and formula. Run trials and contact EZ Elements for guidance.
Q5: Is Gum Arabic GRAS?
The safety data sheet lists it as GRAS in the US. Status can differ by country, so confirm the requirements for your market.
Q6: How is Gum Arabic made?
Gum Arabic is a natural exudate from Acacia senegal and related species. It is collected from the trees, then processed into the coarse-grained, fast-soluble spray-dried powder that EZ Elements supplies, as described in the technical data sheet. [CONFIRM: collection and processing steps to be confirmed with the supplier before publishing.]
Q7: Is Gum Arabic soluble in water?
Yes. The technical data sheet describes it as water-soluble and dispersible in cold water, forming a colloidal solution.
Order or Enquire
Contact EZ Elements for pricing and technical information on Gum Arabic. Browse food and beverage ingredients at https://ezelements.ca/collections/food-beverages.
