🌐 Understanding Gellan Gum (E418): The Truth About Gelrite, Phytagel, and Gellan Variants


📌 Keywords: gellan gum E418, low acyl gellan gum, high acyl gellan gum, Gelrite brand, Phytagel brand, plant tissue culture gelling agent, food thickener, CINOGEL Biotech

🧬 What is Gellan Gum?

Gellan gum (E418) is a water-soluble polysaccharide produced by the fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea bacteria. It is widely used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, or thickener in:

  • 🥤 Food & Beverage
  • 🧬 Biotechnology & Plant Tissue Culture
  • 🚗 Air Freshener Gels & Household Products
  • 🏭 Industrial and Agricultural Applications
  • 💊 Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals
  • 🧴 Cosmetics & Personal Care

🧾 Gellan Gum = Only 2 Types

All pure gellan gum products belong to one of two functional types:

🔹 1. Low Acyl Gellan Gum

  • Forms firm, brittle, and transparent gels
  • Used in: microbiology, tissue culture (e.g., Gelrite, Phytagel), and some beverages
  • Ideal for: precise gel strength and clarity

🔸 2. High Acyl Gellan Gum

  • Forms soft, elastic, and opaque gels
  • Used in: dairy alternatives (like almond/oat milk), sauces, soft gels
  • Ideal for: creamy textures and heat stability

🔍 There is no "Gelrite" gellan gum or "Phytagel" gellan gum as chemical classifications. These are brand names for low acyl gellan gum.

🏷️ The Many Names of Gellan Gum: Explained

📘 Name💬 What It Means✅ Type
Gellan GumThe general name for this hydrocolloidLow or High Acyl
E418Food additive code for gellan gum (EU labeling)Low or High Acyl
Gelrite®A brand name for low acyl gellan gum🔹 Low Acyl Only
Phytagel®Another brand name for low acyl gellan gum🔹 Low Acyl Only
Goma GellanSpanish for "Gellan Gum"Low or High Acyl
GélaneFrench term for gellan gumLow or High Acyl
Transparent Agar SubstituteUsed in labs or tissue culture product sheets🔹 Low Acyl (typically)

❗ Clarifying Customer Confusion: Gelrite and Phytagel Are Not Chemical Names

Many customers-especially in the plant tissue culture or academic research sectors—often say:

"We need Gelrite or Phytagel, not gellan gum!"

🛑 This is a common misunderstanding.

🔎 Here's the truth:

  • Both Gelrite® and Phytagel® are simply trademarked product names for low acyl gellan gum.
  • If your application (e.g., tissue culture media) calls for "Gelrite" or "Phytagel," you're actually using low acyl gellan gum.
  • Chemically, they are identical in function to any high-purity low acyl gellan gum from reliable manufacturers like CINOGEL Biotech.

✔️ So, when a supplier like CINOGEL offers low acyl gellan gum, it can fully replace both Gelrite and Phytagel in all common applications-often with better cost-effectiveness and consistent quality.

🌿 Gelrite®, Phytagel® vs Agar: What's the Difference in Plant Tissue Culture?

🧬 1️⃣ Understanding the Basics

AgentChemical NatureOrigin
Gelrite® / Phytagel®Low Acyl Gellan Gum (CAS 71010-52-1)Produced by Sphingomonas elodea via fermentation
AgarComplex polysaccharide (agarose + agaropectin)Extracted from red seaweed (Rhodophyceae)

In short:
🧫 Gelrite and Phytagel are low acyl gellan gum of microbially synthesized and highly purified, while Agar is seaweed-derived and less defined chemically.

⚗️ 2️⃣ Chemical and Physical Properties

PropertyGelrite® / Phytagel® (Low Acyl Gellan Gum)Agar
PurityChemically defined (single polysaccharide)Complex natural mixture
Gel clarityCrystal clear, transparentSlightly opaque
Gel strengthHigh strength even at low concentration (2.5–4.0 g/L)Weaker; needs 7–10 g/L for similar firmness
Gelation temperatureControlled by cations (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, K⁺)35–40 °C solidification; melts at ~85 °C
pH sensitivityStable across a wide range (5–8)Sensitive to pH extremes
ReproducibilityVery consistent batch to batchVaries by seaweed source and season
TransparencyExcellent (ideal for root observation)Moderate, can obscure view
Ionic interactionIon-activated gelation (Ca²⁺-dependent)Non-ionic gelation (thermal)

🌱 3️⃣ In Plant Tissue Culture Practice

🧫 Gelrite® / Phytagel® Advantages(Low acyl gellan gum):

✅ Superior clarity — roots and callus easily visible under microscope.
✅ Lower usage level — saves cost per medium batch.
✅ High reproducibility — each batch behaves the same.
✅ No impurities or inhibitors — ensures uniform plant growth.
✅ Firm but elastic gel — supports delicate shoots or microcuttings.

💡 Ideal concentration: 2.5–4.0 g/L (adjust depending on ions in medium).

🌊 Agar Characteristics:

🟡 Traditional, inexpensive, widely available — often used for teaching or low-cost labs.
🟡 Contains natural impurities — can inhibit or stimulate growth unpredictably.
🟡 Less consistent texture — may vary in hardness and water retention.
🟡 More brittle gels — may not support delicate explants well.

💡 Typical concentration: 7–10 g/L.

🌼 4️⃣ Biological Performance Comparison

Performance FactorGellan Gum/Gelrite® / Phytagel®Agar
Root initiationFaster, more uniformOften delayed or uneven
Callus formationConsistent, clean growthSometimes affected by impurities
Shoot elongationEnhanced due to clarity and low contaminantsModerate
Contamination riskLower (pure, sterile powder)Slightly higher due to organic impurities
Rehydration / re-meltingReproducibleVariable; may degrade after multiple cycles

🔬 Example: In micropropagation of banana, orchids, and Arabidopsis, gellan gum–based media yield stronger, cleaner, and faster-growing explants compared to agar-based media.

🧪 5️⃣ Cost vs Performance

AspectGellan Gum/Gelrite / PhytagelAgar
Material costHigher per kgLower per kg
Usage rate2–4 g/L7–10 g/L
Overall cost per liter of mediumComparable or slightly lowerModerate
Quality yieldPremium, consistentVariable
Long-term reproducibilityExcellentModerate

💡 Conclusion: Even though the unit price of gellan gum is higher, its low dosage, high purity, and reproducibility make it more cost-efficient in professional labs.

🧭 6️⃣ Summary Table

FeatureGelrite® / Phytagel® (Low Acyl Gellan Gum)Agar
SourceMicrobial fermentationSeaweed extraction
Main componentGellan polysaccharideAgarose + agaropectin
Concentration2.5–4.0 g/L7–10 g/L
Gel appearanceTransparentSlightly opaque
ConsistencyFirm, uniformBrittle, variable
Plant growth effectPromotes strong, clean shoots and rootsMay inhibit growth due to impurities
Ideal forResearch-grade, micropropagation, biotechnologyRoutine or educational use

🏭 Why Choose CINOGEL Biotech's Gellan Gum?

At CINOGEL BIOTECH, we manufacture both:

  • ✅ Low Acyl Gellan Gum (replacing Gelrite, Phytagel)
  • ✅ High Acyl Gellan Gum (for dairy alternatives and more)

🔬 Quality Assured:

  • ✅ High clarity & strong gel strength (low acyl)
  • ✅ Non-GMO, ISO-certified
  • ✅ Application support from plant tissue culture to food and pharma

📌 We help customers worldwide clearly understand their material needs to avoid costly confusion with brand names.

🌱 Plant Tissue Culture Troubleshooting Manual (Gellan Gum Edition)

📢 Final Takeaway: Know What You're Buying

🔹 If your protocol says "use Gelrite" or "Phytagel", you are not locked to one brand.

➡️ What you need is:

  • Low Acyl Gellan Gum – same functionality, better flexibility, and potentially lower cost.(Kanamycin will Lose Activity in Gellan Gum Media,so avoid using it with Gellan Gum)

🎯 By switching to the actual material name (low or high acyl gellan gum), you ensure:

  • Consistency across suppliers
  • Better purchasing decisions
  • Clearer communication between departments

📞 Need Help Choosing the Right Gellan Gum?

Let the experts at CINOGEL Biotech assist you!

📧 Email: gellangum@cinogel.com
🌐 Website: www.cinogel.com | www.gellangum.net

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