Xanthan Gum is a natural polysaccharide that is derived from the microbial fermentation of starch or sugar. Polysaccharides are essentially carbohydrates. This substance is used in various industries due to its viscosity and high stability properties, which is why it can be called the "magic powder of the 21st century." In this article, after a brief history of the substance, we will examine the specific applications of xanthan gum in the food, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and other industries.
1. History and Production of Xanthan Gum Xanthan gum was first created in the 1960s by the American company, Chemsultants International. This substance is produced as a natural gum through the fermentation of carbohydrates by specific bacteria such as Xanthomonas campestris. The process begins by growing the bacteria on carbohydrate-rich media such as glucose or sucrose. The bacteria produce xanthan gum polysaccharide, which is then separated from the culture medium, washed, and dried. This dried powder is then packaged in various forms and used in different industries. Initially, it was used in the food industry to provide viscosity and prevent sedimentation, but over time, its applications expanded into other industries such as oil, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.
2. Chemical Properties of Xanthan Gum. Xanthan gum is a natural polysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, and mannose units. This substance dissolves well in water and is able to achieve very high concentrations without forming gels or causing coagulation. It has high stability at low temperatures or in the presence of salts, making it very suitable for use in both industrial and food environments.
3. Applications of Xanthan Gum
3.1 Applications in the Food Industry: Xanthan gum is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in the production of various food products such as sauces, soups, beverages, frozen foods, and desserts. In the production of gluten-free products like bread, xanthan gum helps improve the texture and increase the stability of the products. It is also used in fatty products like ice cream and dairy products as an emulsifier.
3.2 Applications in the Pharmaceutical Industry: Xanthan gum is used as a suspending agent in the formulation of medicines and dietary supplements. It also helps improve stability and prolongs the shelf life of pharmaceutical products. Xanthan gum can act as a controlled release agent in drug delivery systems. In simpler terms, xanthan gum is used in the production of tablets and syrups to improve consistency and ensure uniform distribution of active ingredients.
3.3 Applications in Agriculture: Xanthan gum is used as a binder in the production of pesticides and fertilizers. Another application is as a gelling agent in the production of irrigation gels, which helps improve irrigation efficiency.
3.4 Applications in the Oil and Gas Industry: Xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent to adjust the viscosity of drilling fluids, stabilize these fluids, and improve injection performance in oil production.
3.5 Applications in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: Xanthan gum is used as a thickening agent and emulsifier in the production of cosmetics and personal care products like creams, lotions, shampoos, and shower gels.
3.6 Applications in the Textile Industry: Xanthan gum is used as a thickener and color stabilizer in textile printing processes.
4. Differences Between Food-Grade and Industrial Xanthan Gum The main difference between food-grade and industrial xanthan gum is their quality and purity. Food-grade xanthan gum must adhere to specific health and safety standards to be safe for human consumption. This type of xanthan gum is typically made from higher-quality raw materials, and stricter controls are applied during its production process. Food-grade xanthan gum is usually used in the food and cosmetic industries and has a mesh size (particle size) of 200. On the other hand, industrial xanthan gum may be used in applications such as detergent production, paints, drilling fluids, fertilizer and pesticide production, or other industrial products that do not require such a high level of purity. This type may contain more impurities and is not suitable for use in food. Industrial xanthan gum is generally available with a mesh size of 80.
Experience has shown that in many cases, food-grade xanthan gum can be used in industrial applications and has even yielded good results. However, due to specific sensitivities in the food and cosmetic industries, replacing food-grade xanthan gum with industrial-grade is not recommended for these products.
5. Global Consumption of Xanthan Gum Precise global statistics on annual xanthan gum consumption are hard to provide, but according to various reports, the global xanthan gum market is growing. The annual consumption of this substance generally reaches billions of dollars. In recent years, xanthan gum consumption has significantly increased. For instance, in 2019, the global xanthan gum market was estimated to be worth around $500 million, and it is expected to rise to over $700 million by 2025. This increase in consumption is due to the wide range of applications of xanthan gum in various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, and cosmetics. Due to its unique properties, especially in thickening and stabilizing glycerins, xanthan gum is becoming a crucial material in many industries.
6. Major Xanthan Gum Manufacturers 6.1 Cargill: An American multinational company and one of the largest producers of food additives, including xanthan gum.
6.2 DuPont: An American multinational chemical company, founded in 1802 by French-American chemist and industrialist Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours, and one of the largest manufacturers of xanthan gum for various industries.
6.3 Meihua: The largest producer of xanthan gum in China, producing raw materials for pharmaceutical, food, and industrial uses.
6.4 Fufeng: The second-largest producer of xanthan gum in China, manufacturing both industrial and food-grade xanthan gum.
7. Xanthan Gum Supply in Iran There are various trading companies in Iran that supply this material in both rial and foreign currency. Petro Tejarat Irsa is the exclusive representative of Meihua, the largest Chinese producer of xanthan gum in the Middle East, and is ready to provide foreign and domestic currency services to supply this versatile substance. For further analysis and detailed information about this product, you can visit the products section of Petro Tejarat Irsa’s website and search for the detailed information.
8. Conclusion Xanthan gum, due to its unique properties, has widespread applications across various industries. This material helps improve the quality and stability of various products and plays a significant role in the production of high-quality goods. With the continuous development of technologies and new market needs, it is expected that the applications of xanthan gum, as well as global consumption, will continue to rise in the future.
