Gum Arabic (Gummi arabicum)

Other names: Acacia, Gum arabic, glue, E414

Gum Arabic, also known as Acacia, Gum Arabic, klej, or E414, is one of the oldest and most widely used natural ingredients in the world. It is a polysaccharide, specifically a mixture of the calcium and magnesium salts of arabic acid, which is extracted from the bark of certain species of acacia growing mainly in Africa. Gum Arabic is highly soluble in water, tasteless, odourless and practically digestible.

Gum Arabic is highly valued for its properties as a stabiliser and emulsifier and is therefore used in a wide range of products. It is commonly used in the food industry where it serves as a thickening and stabilising agent. It is used, for example, in the production of baked goods, sweets, ice cream or candies. In the beverage industry, gum Arabic is used as a stabiliser in sparkling wines, as an additive in fruit juices or as a thickening agent in alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It is also used in the cosmetics industry as a thickening agent in creams, creams and hair products. Another use of gum Arabic is in medicine, where it is used in the manufacture of powdered medicines as an anti-caking agent. It can also be found in some types of adhesives such as adhesives for signs, stamps, or envelopes.