GUM ARABIC
Prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998) and published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998); republished in FNP 52 Add 7 (1999) to include editorial changes. Supersedes specifications prepared at the 49th JECFA (1997), published in FNP 52 Add 5 (1997). ADI "not specified", established at the 35th
JECFA in 1989.
SYNONYMS Gum arabic (Acacia senegal), gum arabic (Acacia seyal), Acacia gum, arabic gum, INS No. 414
DEFINITION Gum arabic is a dried exudate obtained from the stems and branches of Acacia senegal (L.) Willdenow or Acacia seyal (fam. Leguminosae) Gum arabic consists mainly of high-molecular weight polysaccharides and their calcium, magnesium and potassium salts, which on hydrolysis yield arabinose, galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. Items of commerce may contain extraneous materials such as sand and pieces of bark, which must be removed before use in food.
C.A.S. number 9000-01-5
DESCRIPTION Gum arabic (A. senegal) is a pale white to orange-brown solid, which breaks with a glassy fracture. The best grades are in the form of whole, spheroidal tears of varying size with a matt surface texture. When ground, the pieces are paler and have a glassy appearance. Gum arabic (A. seyal) is more brittle than the hard tears of gum arabic (A. senegal).
Gum arabic is also available commercially in the form of white to yellowishwhite flakes, granules, powder, roller dried, or spray-dried material.
An aqueous solution of 1 g in 2 ml flows readily and is acid to litmus.
FUNCTIONAL USES Emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener
