Description
A natural exudate harvested from the bark of Sterculia urens trees native to central India. An acidic polysaccharide of partially acetylated rhamnose-galactose-glucuronic acid units that swells dramatically in water (60 to 100 times its dry volume) without fully dissolving, producing characteristic short-textured pastes used in adhesive and pharmaceutical applications.
White to pale brown granules or fine powder. Limited cold-water solubility; the swelling rather than dissolving behavior distinguishes Karaya from all other commercial gums and underlies its dominant application in ostomy and dental-adhesive products.
We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Karaya Gum from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include Standard Granule Grade, Pulverized Powder Grade for industrial blending, Pharmaceutical Grade meeting USP and BP specifications, and Premium Low-Acid Grade for sensitive applications.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering volatile acid, swelling capacity, ash, heavy metals, and microbiology.
Introduction
Karaya Gum has been harvested in India for centuries, with both medicinal and culinary uses in traditional Ayurvedic practice. Industrial commercialization for international markets developed in the 20th century, principally for pharmaceutical and ostomy-adhesive applications where Karaya's unique swelling behavior cannot be matched by other hydrocolloids.
Industrial production proceeds by manual incision of mature Sterculia urens trees, collection of exuded gum tears, sun-drying, hand-sorting, and either packaging as granules or milling to defined powder specifications. India remains the principal producer; sustainable forestry programs manage the harvest cycle to protect tree populations.
Regulated as E416 in the EU, classified as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA, listed in BP and USP pharmacopoeias, and approved by JECFA with an Acceptable Daily Intake of 12.5 mg per kg body weight.
The molecule is a highly acetylated branched polysaccharide. Native acetyl content (around 8 to 10 percent) drives the limited solubility and the characteristic short-textured swelling behavior. Deacetylated Karaya (produced by alkaline treatment) is more soluble and less viscous, used in specialty applications.
Strategic positioning is the global ostomy-adhesive market where the combination of skin-friendly chemistry, large swelling capacity, and characteristic adhesive properties has resisted replacement by synthetic adhesives for decades. Food applications are a smaller share of global volume, concentrated in traditional and natural-positioning categories.
Where it is used
- Ostomy adhesives and stoma-care wafers; the dominant industrial application globally, leveraging exceptional swelling and skin-friendly behavior
- Dental adhesive powders for denture fixation
- Bulk laxative pharmaceutical preparations
- Salad dressings and sauces in traditional and natural-positioning formulations
- Ice cream and frozen dessert applications: ice crystal control and overrun stabilization
- Cheese spreads and processed cheese formulations
- Cosmetic and personal-care: setting lotions and hair-styling products
- Industrial applications: paper coatings and specialty textile printing
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to pale brown granules or fine powder |
| Volatile acid (as acetic) | ≥ 10.0% |
| Loss on drying | ≤ 20.0% |
| Ash | ≤ 8.0% |
| Acid-insoluble ash | ≤ 1.0% |
| Swelling volume (1 g in water) | ≥ 60 mL |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 3 mg/kg |
| Total plate count | ≤ 5000 cfu/g |
Ready to discuss business?
Send us your spec and requirement. We will respond with availability and pricing within 24 hours.