GELLAN GUM
Prepared at the 49th JECFA (1997), published in FNP 52 Add 5 (1997) superseding specifications prepared at the 46th JECFA (1996), published in
FNP 52 Add 4 (1996). An ADI 'not specified' was established at the 37th JECFA (1990)
SYNONYM INS No. 418
DEFINITION Gellan gum is a high molecular weight polysaccharide gum produced by a pure culture fermentation of a carbohydrate by Pseudomonas elodea, purified by recovery with isopropyl alcohol, dried, and milled. The high molecular weight polysaccharide is principally composed of a
tetrasaccharide repeating unit of one rhamnose, one glucuronic acid, and two glucose units, and is substituted with acyl (glyceryl and acetyl) groups
as the O-glycosidically-linked esters. The glucuronic acid is neutralized to a mixed potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium salt. It usually contains a small amount of nitrogen containing compounds resulting from the fermentation procedures.
C.A.S. number 71010-52-1
Formula weight Approximately 500,000
Assay Yields, on the dried basis, not less than 3.3% and not more than 6.8% of carbon dioxide (CO2).
DESCRIPTION Off-white powder
FUNCTIONAL USES Thickening agent, gelling agent, stabilizer
