WHAT IS GUM ARABIC?
Also known as acacia gum, kordofan, meska, char goond is a natural gum made of the hardened sap of various species of the acacia tree.
Gum arabic is harvested from two types of wild Acacia trees, one is Acacia Senegal tree and other is Acacia Seyal.
This resin is obtained through special tappings made on the trunk of the tree. The resinous liquid which comes out of the tappings to heal the cuts on the bark, thickens on contact with the air, forming a hard and glassy gum.
Gum arabic is edible and has E number E414.
SOURCE OF ARABIC GUM
Gum Arabic is harvested in the gum belt of Africa, this belt starts from Senegal at the west of Africa and ends at Sudan in the east, also known as African sahel.
From the 1950s to the early 1990s, Sudan accounted for roughly 80% of gum Arabic production, today, that figure is probably under 50%.
Sudan is still the world’s largest single producer of Arabic Gum.
GENERAL USES
Gum arabic is used primarily in the food industry as a stabilizer. Gum arabic is a key ingredient in traditional lithography and is used in printing, paint production, glue, cosmetics and various industrial applications, including viscosity control in inks and in textile industries, though less expensive materials compete with it for many of these roles.
- Gum arabic is used primarily in the food industry as a stabilizer. Gum arabic is a key ingredient in traditional lithographyand is used in printing, paint production, glue, cosmetics and various industrial applications, including viscosity control in inks and in textile industries, though less expensive materials compete with it for many of these roles.
- Gum Arabic is used as an emulsifier and a thickening agent in icing, fillings, chewing gum and other confectionery treats.
- Gum Arabic is also used as a water-soluble binder in fireworks composition.
- Gum Arabic has a long history as additives to ceramic glazes.
- Gum Arabic is used as a binder for watercolor painting because it dissolves easily in water.
- Gum Arabic is utilized worldwide in a multitude of ways. It’s used in everything from beverage emulsions and confections to functional dietary fiber. Gum Arabic is even utilized in common everyday food and beverages like granola bars and soft drinks.
WHO IS USING
Many manufacturers are using the Gum Arabic, actually you use it in many everyday items without you knowing, these are some of the users of the gum:
- Coca-cola & Pepsi
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Paints and fireworks makers
- Hard Gummy Candies, Marshmallows, M&M’s chocolate Candies and edible glitter makers.
- Bakers using in cake baking and decorating
- Manufacturers of postage stamps, envelopes, and cigarette papers.
- Shoe polish makers
- Pharmaceutical drugs and Wine makers have used gum arabic as a wine fining agent