3. Physico-chemical properties
The main physico-chemical properties of xanthan gum are linked to interactions between macromolecules and water. The first step is to dissolve the polysaccharide.
Solubility
Xanthan gum is soluble in cold water (from 10 to 20 ˚C). Solubilization takes place in two stages. The first stage is the dispersion of the grains making up the powder, i.e. the individualization of the particles. The larger the grain size, the faster the dispersion. The second stage is hydration. Water molecules gradually attach themselves to the macromolecules, reducing solute-solute interactions until the macromolecules become individualized. Gums feature hydroxyl groups and negative charges that facilitate solute-water interaction. In addition, the branches spread the main chains apart, facilitating hydration. Hydration is considered...
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Unit operations. Chemical reaction engineering
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Physico-chemical properties
Applications
Economic data
The world market for xanthan gum exceeded 30,000 t in 1998, and is growing at over 5% a year. Xanthan gum is highly developed in the United States and, to a lesser extent, in Europe. Continued growth in the United States, the Americanization of food habits in Europe and innovation in the mass retail sector (detergents, cosmetics, etc.) are the driving forces behind xanthan gum's development.
The...
Bibliography
Regulations
Xanthan gum has been approved for use in the food industry since 1969 by the US Food and Drug Administration (21 CFR 172.696).
It is one of the 27 polysaccharides approved by the EEC (Directive 80/597/EEC of 05/29/80, approval since 1974 for xanthan gum), and bears the number E 415.
The acceptable daily intake (mg · kg -1 body weight...
Standardization
The only authoritative reference standard in the industry is the Food Chemical Codex, cited in the bibliographic reference.
Main producers (in 1999)
The main producers of xanthan gum are, in descending order of tonnage:
Kelco (Monsanto – USA)
Rhodia (Melle – France)
ADM (USA)
Jungbunzlauer (Austria)
SKW Trotsberg (Germany, formerly SBI France)
Production tonnages for each of these companies are confidential and...
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