Arabic gum is known for it’s many uses in large food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries as well as in other sectors such the manufacturing of ink, the creation of plaster, the starching of fabrics, etc.
This raw material is standardised in Europe as the food additive E414.
Aromatic beverages
Arabic gum use is as an emulsifier, stabilizer and aroma encapsulator for certain beverages. It has two important functions:
-preventing the crystallization of sugar in products that contain large quantities of it (such as sodas) – acting as an emulsifier, maintaining fats evenly distributed in the product, in order to prevent them from accumulating on the surface and therefore to be easily oxidized.
The role played by gum Arabic is absolutely essential because it is the only natural emulsifier capable of achieving this operation to stabilize the water and the various components of soft drinks
Sweet.
CONFECTIONERY
Gum arabic is a natural product of choice for high quality confectionery. It prevents the crystallization of sugar and acts as an emulsifier. Alternative to animal gelatins, gum arabic is a texturizer, binder, thickener and agent coating. This natural substance provides a particular gelled texture used to coat some confectionery. It is an essential ingredient for the preparation of marshmallows but also lozenges, dredges and chewing pasta.
food products
Arabic gum serves as a coating agent for dried fruits, condiments,
Cookies… This additive gives them a glossy, smooth look when applied to the external surface. Thus, they perform a physical action by constituting a protective coating on the surface of food.
OENOLOGy
Gum arabic is a protective colloid that opposes the precipitation of particles in Suspension; Gum arabic is an additive used as a “stabilizer” which also allows decreases the astringency sensation. Suspension of tannins, stabilization of wines.
INDUSTRIES
In the industry, the gum arabic use is as a glue, as a protective colloid and as a ink preservatives. It is used to raise awareness of lithographic plaques, coating some special papers, stiffening of fabrics, and the process of binding ceramics. It is well known for the collage of labels, envelopes or Stamps. In metallurgy, it is also used for the anti-corrosion coating of metals and in the building as an agent for the impermeability of the shawl roofs.
PAINTS
In the field of paints, watery binding solutions have a high concentration of gum arabic. This raw material also serves as a fixer for greasy pastels or and is a component of gouache manufacturing.
CONSTRUCTION
Masons use it to ensure the waterproofing of roofs (based on clay and straws). Painters mix it with the chestnut (1/10th of the amount of lime used) to paint the walls of houses.
textile
In West Africa, Arabic Gum is used as an agent of solidification and brillance of bazins, cotton tissues.