Basically, Natural gums are a long chain of sugar that is polysaccharides, that are extracted by the native plant materials. Which has the nature of either water-soluble or a capacity of absorbing water. Gels are formed when this reaction takes place, polysaccharides are mixed together with the water. Many natural gum manufacturer are using this same strategy for gum production.
Here, Gums are only moderately abstracted by humans and typically have some adverse side effects. Although this game is used in the food industry for thickening agents, they preserve an emulsion, that is emulsifiers and stabilizers. They are also used in diet products and for some medicines.
Uses of natural Gums:
- Discharges proteins and fat that are present in dairy products.
- The formation of ice crystals in frozen products is forbidden by this gum.
- Helps to Enhance the feel of food in the mouth when you eat.
- It helps to improve the consistency of syrups and sauces, as well as provides a thick and rich flavor.
- prevent solid particles from setting out of suspension.
- In bakery products, it aids in moisture retention and keeps them as soft and moist as possible.
History of Natural Gum:
Guar gum is extracted from the seeds of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, a member of the pea family, which is known only as a cultivated plant. An African native that was domesticated in India is grown in Texas and Oklahoma. This plant, locally known as cluster bean, was originally introduced to the United States in 1903 as a cover crop for grazing, but during World War II, it became a major producer of gum for paper, textiles, and the food industry.
The principal characteristics of gums are:
- It consists of polysaccharides or their derivatives.
- They dissolve in water or at least become soft and inflated when mixed with water. Moreover, they are insoluble in alcohol and other organic solvents.
- They decompose entirely on heating without melting and tend to become charred
- Most gum emerges from plants in a liquid form.
- They dry up into translucent, tear-shaped bodies, amorphous or flammable when they contact with air.
Origin of Natural Gum:
Gums are a group of plant products, and they are formed preliminary due to the dissolution or fragmentation of plant cellulose. This process is referred to as gummosis. Here can see the origin of Natural Gum and examples of that origin in detail.
- Marine origin, examples Alginates, agar, and carrageenan.
- Plant origin:
- Seed gums: examples, Locust bean, guar, cellulose, and amylase.
- Tree exudates: examples, Arabia, tragacanth, ghatti, karaya.
- Tubers: examples, potato starch.
- Extracts: Pectin.
- Microbial origin: for example, Glycan, pullulan, dextran, xanthan, and gellan.
Final Thoughts:
To summarize, the use of gums and resins in food, medicines, and varnishes will act as a protecting coating for walls, furniture, and metals. Nowadays the use of natural gums is enormous and they are employed by a large amount of manpower for these natural gum manufacturing companies, which include mainly the food industry, and pharmaceutical industries.
