1)What is Gellan Gum?

Gellan gum is a polysaccharide, which is a type of carbohydrate, produced by the bacteria Sphingomonas elodea. It is commonly used in the food industry as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener.

Gellan gum forms a gel when it is combined with water and heated, and the resulting gel is very stable, even at high temperatures and acidic or alkaline conditions. This makes gellan gum particularly useful in food products that require high temperature processing or that need to maintain their texture and stability over a long shelf life.

Gellan gum is also used in a variety of other applications, such as in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agricultural products. It is generally considered safe for consumption and is approved for use as a food additive by regulatory agencies in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union.

Summary:

Gellan gum is a type of carbohydrate produced by the bacteria Sphingomonas elodea, commonly used in the food industry as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener. It is approved for use as a food additive and is known for its ability to form a stable gel at high temperatures and in acidic or alkaline conditions.

2)Why call it E418?

The designation "E418" refers to the European Union's system for assigning numbers to food additives. The prefix "E" stands for "Europe" and the number following it indicates the specific food additive.

In the case of gellan gum, it has been assigned the number E418, which means it is a permitted food additive in the European Union. This numbering system is used to provide a standardized way of identifying food additives and to ensure that they have been safety evaluated and approved for use in food products.

The use of the E number system is not limited to the European Union, however. Many other countries around the world use similar systems to regulate food additives and to ensure the safety and quality of the food supply. For example, in the United States, food additives are assigned a "GRAS" (Generally Recognized as Safe) status or an "FDA-approved" status.

Summary:

E418 is the European Union's designation for gellan gum, indicating that it is an approved food additive in the EU.

3)How is gellan gum used?

Gellan gum belongs to the group of food additives known as hydrocolloids. Hydrocolloids are substances that are able to form a gel or thicken a liquid when they are added to water. Other common hydrocolloids include carrageenan, xanthan gum, and agar.it is used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener in a wide range of food products, including dairy products, desserts, sauces, and beverages. It is also used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agricultural products. It is typically added to food products in small amounts and can be used to create a range of textures, from a soft gel to a firm gel.

Summary:

Gellan gum is used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener in various food products, as well as in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

4)Gellan Gum used in foods:

  • Dairy products: Gellan gum can be used in dairy products like yogurts, cream cheese, and ice cream to provide a creamy texture and prevent syneresis (separation of liquid from the solid components).
  • Plant-based milks: Gellan gum is commonly used in plant-based milks like almond, soy, and oat milk to thicken and stabilize the products, improving their texture and preventing separation.
  • Sauces and dressings: Gellan gum can be used in sauces and dressings to improve their texture and prevent separation, while also reducing the amount of oil needed.
  • Baked goods: Gellan gum can be used in baked goods to improve their texture and increase their shelf life. It can also be used to reduce the amount of fat needed in the recipe.
  • Confectionery items: Gellan gum is commonly used in confectionery items like gummies and marshmallows to provide a gelled texture and prevent melting.
  • Low-calorie and sugar-free products: Gellan gum can be used in low-calorie or sugar-free products to provide structure and texture, as well as to reduce the amount of sugar needed in the recipe.

Summary:

Gellan gum has various applications in the food industry as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener. It is used in products such as dairy products, plant-based milks, sauces, dressings, baked goods, and confectionery items, to improve their texture, stability, and appearance. 

5)More potential benefits of gellan gum:

Apart from its use in the food industry, gellan gum has several other potential benefits and applications. Here are a few examples:

  • Pharmaceuticals: Gellan gum is used in the production of various pharmaceutical products, such as oral suspensions, tablets, and capsules, to improve their texture, stability, and bioavailability.
  • Cosmetics: Gellan gum is used as a thickener and stabilizer in cosmetic products such as creams, lotions, and gels, to improve their texture and stability.
  • Agriculture: Gellan gum is used in agriculture as a soil conditioner and plant growth promoter, as it can improve soil structure and water retention, and enhance plant growth and yield.
  • Biotechnology: Gellan gum has been used as a component in the production of biosensors, biofilms, and microbial cell immobilization, due to its ability to form a stable gel.
  • Tissue engineering: Gellan gum has been used in tissue engineering applications to produce three-dimensional cell scaffolds for tissue regeneration and repair.

Summary:

Gellan gum has various applications beyond the food industry. It is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, biotechnology, and tissue engineering due to its properties such as stabilizing, thickening, and gel-forming.

6)Gellan Gum safety:

Gellan gum is considered safe for consumption by regulatory agencies in many countries, including the United States, Canada, and the European Union. It has been extensively studied for its safety and toxicity, and no significant adverse effects have been reported in humans. However, as with any food additive, some people may have an allergic reaction or intolerance to gellan gum. It is important to follow recommended usage levels and to consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about consuming products containing gellan gum.