Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum exhibits extraordinary and useful properties, for example high viscosity at low concentrations, little change in viscosity at varying temperatures and excellent stability over a wide pH range. It also provides strong freeze-thaw stability showing remarkable suspension characteristics. It is often contained in toothpaste and a preferred method of thickening. In the food industry it is used in a wide range of products such as sauces, dressings, meat and poultry, bakery, confectionery, beverage and several dairy products. A major ingredient used in cosmetics and other personal care formulations as well.

Synonyms: E415, Polysaccharide gum, Scleroglucan and Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum and Xanthan Gum
Chemical Formula: C35H49O29
CAS Number: 11138-66-2, 39464-87-4

Characteristics

Molar Weight: 933.7462g/mol

Forms: Powder

Uses and Applications

Key applications

Food and Nutrition
Oil and Gas
Personal care
Cosmetic products

Industries

General information about Xanthan gum

Xanthan gum is a naturally occurring polysaccharide. It is obtained from sugar-containing substrates with the help of bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas and is mainly used as a food additive and in the cosmetics industry.

Xanthan gum is not metabolised by the human organism and is therefore a dietary fibre. It is partially broken down in the intestine by the microorganisms in the digestive tract.

Properties of xanthan gum

Xanthan gum solutions have a so-called pseudo yield point, i.e. they temporarily become thinner if they are stirred quickly (thixotropy). Mixed with locust bean gum, xanthan gum also has a synergistic effect. It forms thermoreversible gels that are characterised by very good water-binding properties as well as high elasticity. This makes them very interesting for both the food and cosmetics industries.

Xanthan gum in the food industry

Xanthan gum is a food additive (E 415) that is used as a thickening and gelling agent in the food industry. It is also approved for organic food according to EU organic regulations. The substance swells in an aqueous solution and thus increases the viscosity of the product. It acts as a thickening agent in dairy products, guacamole, sauces, tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and dressings as well as other vegetarian foods. If xanthan gum is combined with locust bean gum (E 410), a gummy gel is formed.

If xanthan gum is added to bread dough, the product stays fresh for longer, as the substance increases the water-binding capacity of dough. Xanthan gum reduces the formation of ice crystals in ice cream and keeps suspended solids evenly distributed in fruit juices.

Xanthan gum in the cosmetics industry

Xanthan gum is used in the production of water gels and is contained in numerous products in the cosmetics industry, for example in lotions, shampoos, toothpaste, liquid soaps, lubricants and mascara.

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Xanthan gum in the oil and gas industry

Xanthan gum is used in various processes in the oil and gas industry. In drilling muds, it improves their viscosity so that solids can be kept in suspension and effective cooling and lubrication is ensured when drilling boreholes.

Xanthan gum can also facilitate oil production by reducing the flow of water in oil field production so that more oil can be extracted. Last but not least, xanthan gum is used for well stabilisation.

Xanthan gum in the pharmaceutical industry

As a suspending agent in the pharmaceutical industry, xanthan gum improves the stability of liquid medicines such as eye drops and antipyretic juices. Drugs containing solids thus remain evenly distributed in the liquid and do not settle.

As the viscosity of substances can be influenced with xanthan gum, it is used in medical gels and creams and thus optimises their manageability.

Xanthan gum also acts as a film former for tablets. This controls the disintegration properties of tablets and regulates the release of the active ingredient. In injections, xanthan stabilises proteins.

Further areas of application for xanthan gum

Xanthan gum is also used in explosives. It is furthermore used in the cleaning industry to increase the viscosity of cleaning products such as toilet cleaners; as a suspending agent, it can increase the cleaning efficiency by clinging to the vertical surfaces it is applied to and is also used in abrasive substances, to even the distribution of solid particles.

This ensures that the product adheres to vertical surfaces like a gel and cleans more efficiently.

In the polymer industry, xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent for water-based polymer systems. It increases the viscosity of the solution and improves the handling and processing properties of the polymer.

Xanthan gum is also used in water-based coatings for food packaging. It also serves as a thickening agent here.

In water treatment, xanthan gum is used as a precipitation and flocculation aid to facilitate the removal of solids from the water. It helps to bind fine particles and combine them into larger flocs, which promotes the sedimentation process and supports the efficient removal of turbidity. This effect is also utilised in wastewater treatment plants, where the increase in viscosity improves treatment efficiency.

Xanthan gum is used in the construction industry as an additive for concrete to optimise its pumpability and flow behaviour. In soil improvement, xanthan gum helps to increase the water holding capacity of the soil so that it is stabilised.

Lubricating greases and oils are another area of application for xanthan gum. Here too, the substance serves as a thickening agent to increase the lubrication properties of the product and its retention time on the lubricated surface. Another advantage of using xanthan gum is its good stability at high temperatures. It helps to maintain viscosity even under extreme conditions.

In addition, xanthan gum in lubricant formulations helps to form a protective film against corrosion on metal surfaces. This improves the service life of machinery and equipment by protecting it from the damaging effects of moisture and other environmental influences.