What Is Gellan Gum? Uses, Benefits, and Safety
Gellan gum is a water-soluble polysaccharide produced by the bacterium _Sphingomonas elodea_. It is a linear heteropolysaccharide composed of a tetrasaccharide repeating unit consisting of two molecules of glucose, one molecule of glucuronic acid, and one molecule of rhamnose.
Gellan gum is highly viscous in solution and forms a clear, elastic gel at low concentrations (0.1%-1.0%). This makes it an ideal gelling agent for a variety of food and non-food applications.
Benefits of Gellan Gum
Gellan gum has several benefits that make it a useful ingredient in a variety of products.
* Viscosity: Gellan gum is highly viscous, even at low concentrations. This makes it useful for thickening liquids and preventing them from separating.
* Gelation: Gellan gum forms a clear, elastic gel at low concentrations. This makes it an ideal gelling agent for a variety of food and non-food applications.
* Temperature stability: Gellan gum is stable at a wide range of temperatures, from freezing to boiling. This makes it ideal for use in applications where temperature fluctuations are expected.
* pH stability: Gellan gum is stable at a wide range of pH levels, from 3 to 13. This makes it ideal for use in a variety of food and non-food applications.
* Biodegradability: Gellan gum is biodegradable, making it an environmentally friendly option.
Uses of Gellan Gum
Gellan gum is used in a variety of food and non-food applications.
Food applications:
* Jams and jellies
* Fruit pies
* Ice cream
* Yogurt
* Salad dressings
* Beverages
* Baked goods
* Pet food
Non-food applications:
* Cosmetics
* Pharmaceuticals
* Personal care products
* Textiles
* Paper
* Paints
* Adhesives
Safety of Gellan Gum
Gellan gum is generally considered safe for consumption and use in cosmetic and personal care products. The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has set an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0-25 mg/kg body weight for gellan gum.
This ADI is based on studies that have shown that gellan gum is not toxic and does not cause any adverse health effects, even at high doses.
Conclusion
Gellan gum is a natural polysaccharide that has a wide range of applications in food and non-food products. It is a versatile ingredient that can be used to thicken, gel, stabilize, and texturize various products.
Gellan gum is generally considered safe for consumption and use in cosmetics and personal care products. The JECFA has set an ADI of 0-25 mg/kg body weight for gellan gum.
