Gumiarabic: what is it, what is its harm?

Gum arabic (from Latin gummi - gum, arabikus - Arabian) - gum arabic, glutinous juice of some species of Arabian acacia, which grows on the territory of Africa, India and Australia. The beginning of the extraction of gum arabic goes back to ancient times. Trees have a height of 3.5 to 4.3 meters. The process of gum extraction is accelerated by applying notches on the bark of the tree, thanks to which a rapid outflow of resin occurs. Next, the "harvest" is manually cleared from the bark pieces. Completely soluble in water, forming an adhesive solution. Liquid adhesive for paper. Gumiarabic: what is it? Let's consider more in the article.

Gumiarabic, definition

International standards adopted the following designation: stabilizer E 414, or gum arabic e414. Other names: Acacia gum (gum arabic). Refers to a group of food additives that extend shelf life and improve the consumer quality of products. The substance is not included in the group of hazardous to human health. Widely applied and allowed to use in Russia, Ukraine and EU countries gum arabic. What it is? The photo shows: the substance is similar to amber, and this is not surprising: both are the resin of the tree.

Characteristics

As we have already found out, the food stabilizer is obtained from some types of Arabian acacia by collecting the resin by hand. The extracted natural substance is separated from the bark, sorted and purified by refining. Gum arabic enters the market in the form of powder, crystals or droplets of amber. Food additive gum arabic has excellent emulsifying and defoaming properties. Quickly forms a film and gives the liquid a certain texture. Does not leave a trace in the cooked dish, while perfectly distributes fats. When boiled decomposes into simple sugars. Contains huge deposits of cellulose. It helps to combine qualitatively incompatible textures, to give a certain form and does not allow the contents to exfoliate and settle. The use in small doses leaves a feeling of satiety and fullness of the stomach. Therefore it is recommended for dietary nutrition.

Emulsifier E-414, its functions

Gumiarabic: what is it, and why is it so in demand in a variety of industries? Adhesive properties contribute to the preservation of the form of finished products, help to achieve the desired viscosity, promote moisture retention in bakery products. This same quality does not allow beer to foam in the bottle, perfectly holds the shape of jelly products, does not give chewing gum quickly crumble in the mouth. Performs many other functions not available for organic compounds in this category.

Food industry and gum arabic

We have already found out what it is and where it is used. It turns out that sweet tooth would be deprived of many familiar desserts, if not gum arabic. Jelly and marmalade, fruit-based confectionery products, delicate homogeneous creams and whipped cream, ice cream for sure would not be so sticky and tasty, if not gum arabic. The preparation of high-quality dairy, meat and fish semi-finished products and ready-to-eat products also rarely does without this natural substance, an excellent moisture regulator. Fruit yogurt also contains gum arabic. What is this ingredient? It increases the viscosity of the product, preserves the consistency of the prepared dishes, imparts and retains the shape of the products.

Application in brewing and winemaking

Gumiarabik participates in the technology of making beer to extinguish the formation of foam, in winemaking to fix the color of the wines.

Non-food use

Dry powder gum arabic is used to create craquelures in painting, for the preparation of gold and varnish. Immune to organic solvents. With the use of gum arabic, the manufacture of ink and watercolor paints is associated. It is used in lithography, participating in the process of creating a cliche, for the preparation of special washing and cleaning solutions to care for it (washing the cliche for high printing). Widely used in the manufacture of cosmetics: lotions, protective creams. It is used to improve the viscosity of the composition, as the glutinous base is added to cosmetic face masks.

Used in pharmaceuticals to create shells for tablets, suspensions, emulsions and so on. It is widely used in cosmetology to create skin care products for face and body.

Benefits and harms of gum arabic for the human body

Useful for the lack of allergens. Does not cause irritation of mucous membranes and gastrointestinal tract with direct contact with food additive. It also copes well with removing salts of heavy metals and radionuclides from the body . The usefulness of the natural product is that E414 is approved for use in children's and dietary foods. It is well known that the property of gum arabic reduces the glucose content in the blood due to the high content of cellulose. Helps diabetics fight the disease. Struggles with cholesterol. Cleans clogged blood vessels from plaques. It helps in solving problems with the cardiovascular system, lipid metabolism. Helps the stomach to work properly, prolonging the digestion of food, and thereby reducing appetite. Qualitatively and quickly helps to reduce weight. Gum arabic, harm from which still takes place, is contraindicated in people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is not recommended to exceed the permissible daily intake of food additive in the amount of 2 g / kg of human weight.

Conclusion

Gum arabic. What it is? If someone heard this word, then only in some context, fleeting. After reading this article, it is possible that some will remember how to break off pieces of frozen stems on the trunk of cherries and taste them - a harmless delicacy of a child's pore. Gum arabic food very much like him and properties and taste.

We learned almost everything about the food supplement E 414, about where it grows and is produced, the functions and characteristics of this product, the scope, benefits and harms of the food additive. What conclusion can be drawn? It is practically safe for the body of a person of any age. Of course, contraindications to use are available, as with any other product or medical product: everything is good in moderation. Participates in dietary and children's nutrition. Hence, it is not so bad that it is used in this industry. We learned that this stabilizer is also used in painting, to create paints and fixers. In general, as we have understood, the scope of its application is extensive. Is any kind of acacia resin can turn our perception of the food industry? What did we know from this area? Almost nothing. Now it is unlikely that we will forget that there is such a beautiful substance for all occasions.