Description
A natural-source exudate from Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal trees, harvested in Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria. The oldest known hydrocolloid in human use and the dominant emulsifier-thickener for soft-drink emulsions, encapsulation matrices, and confectionery applications.
Pale yellow to amber free-flowing powder or granules. Exceptionally high water solubility (up to 50 percent in cold water) without producing high viscosity, the property that distinguishes Gum Arabic from all other hydrocolloids.
We supply food-grade Gum Arabic from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production. Source documentation (Acacia senegal versus Acacia seyal) is available where required.
Common market grades include Acacia senegal (Hashab, the premium grade with superior emulsion stability), Acacia seyal (Talha, the cost-effective grade for general food use), Spray-Dried Powder (the dominant industrial format), and Granulated Gum for specialty confectionery applications.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering total solids, ash, nitrogen content, optical rotation, viscosity, and microbiology.
Introduction
Gum Arabic has been harvested from Acacia trees in northeast Africa for at least 4,000 years, with documented use in ancient Egyptian mummification, hieroglyphic ink, and confectionery. Modern industrial use developed from the 19th century onward.
Industrial production proceeds by manual harvesting of natural tree exudate, washing, drying, and milling or spray-drying to defined particle-size and solubility specifications. Acacia senegal yields a higher-quality gum than Acacia seyal but at higher cost.
Regulated as E414 in the EU, classified as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA, listed in BP, USP, EP, and JP pharmacopoeias, and approved by JECFA without a numerical Acceptable Daily Intake limit.
The molecule is a complex highly branched arabinogalactan-protein polysaccharide. The protein component (1 to 2 percent of total mass) is the basis for emulsification function; the polysaccharide component provides the unique high-solubility, low-viscosity behavior that distinguishes Gum Arabic from all other hydrocolloids.
Strategic dominance in beverage emulsification comes from the unique combination of high concentration and low viscosity: orange and cola beverage emulsions require 8 to 15 percent gum dosing, which would produce unworkable viscosities with any other hydrocolloid. Only Gum Arabic remains pourable at these concentrations, making it irreplaceable in the soft-drink concentrate industry.
Where it is used
- Soft drink emulsions: orange, cola, and citrus beverages; the dominant emulsifier in this category globally
- Confectionery: gummies, marshmallows, lozenges, and panned candies
- Spray-drying encapsulation: flavor systems, color encapsulation, and oil-soluble vitamin protection
- Bakery products: glazes, surface coatings, and shelf-life extension
- Wine clarification and beer foam stabilization
- Pharmaceutical applications: tablet binders and emulsifying agents in syrups
- Cosmetic and personal-care: lipstick binders and emulsifiers in skincare
- Printing inks and adhesives in industrial applications
- Lithography and photographic emulsions
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale yellow to amber free-flowing powder or granules |
| Total solids | ≥ 90.0% |
| Ash | ≤ 4.0% |
| Acid-insoluble matter | ≤ 1.0% |
| Nitrogen content | 0.27% to 0.39% (Senegal) / 0.23% to 0.30% (Seyal) |
| Optical rotation | −25° to −34° (Senegal) / +51° to +57° (Seyal) |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 3 mg/kg |
| Particle size | Per customer specification |
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