XANTHAN GUM
Prepared at the 53rd JECFA (1999) and published in FNP Add 7 (1999), superseding specifications prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published
in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998). ADI “not specified”, established at the 30th JECFA in 1986.
SYNONYMS INS No. 415
DEFINITION A high molecular weight polysaccharide gum produced by a pure-culture fermentation of a carbohydrate with Xanthomonas campestris, purified by recovery with ethanol or isopropanol, dried and milled; contains D-glucose and D-mannose as the dominant hexose units, along with D-glucuronic acid and pyruvic acid, and is prepared as the sodium, potassium or calcium salt; its solutions are neutral.
C.A.S. number 11138-66-2
Assay Yields, on the dried basis, not less than 4.2% and not more than 5.4% of carbon dioxide (CO2), corresponding to between 91.0% and 117.0%
respectively of xanthan gum.
DESCRIPTION Cream-coloured powder
FUNCTIONAL USES Thickener, stabiliser, emulsifier, foaming agent
