🧃 : What Hydrocolloid to Use in Clear Fruit Juice with Pulp? (Hint: It's Not Xanthan)
🧐 The Question
Formulators of modern beverages are asking:
“What hydrocolloid should I use in a clear fruit juice with suspended pulp or particles, without clouding the product or making it too thick?”
It's a valid concern—consumers expect:
- 🍊 A natural juice look
- 🧼 Clear appearance
- 🧃 Pulp evenly suspended, not floating or sinking
- 🌿 Clean-label ingredients
Let's explore why low-acyl gellan gum is the superior choice—and what to avoid.
⚠️ Common Mistakes in Pulp Suspension
When stabilizing fruit juices, formulators often turn to xanthan gum or CMC (carboxymethyl cellulose). While both are popular, they can create undesirable effects in clear beverages, such as:
- ❌ Cloudiness or opacity
- ❌ Slimy or ropy mouthfeel
- ❌ Inconsistent pulp distribution
- ❌ Incompatibility with acidic pH (in citrus juices)
These hydrocolloids were never designed to hold pulp in place invisibly.
✅ The Best Solution: Low-Acyl Gellan Gum
Low-acyl gellan gum stands out for its clarity, strength, and efficiency.
Here's how it works:
- 🔬 Forms a weak gel network in the juice, even at very low concentrations (0.02%–0.05%)
- 🧲 This network is strong enough to hold pulp, fibers, or vitamin particles in suspension
- 💧 It doesn't increase viscosity, so your juice stays thin, drinkable, and refreshing
- 🔍 It's transparent, so color and clarity are preserved
Perfect for:
- Citrus juices 🍋
- Aloe vera drinks 🍃
- Coconut water with pulp 🥥
- Functional drinks with added fibers or vitamins 💊
📊 Comparison: Hydrocolloids in Clear Juices
| Hydrocolloid | Clarity | Mouthfeel | Suspension Power | Dosage (%) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xanthan Gum | Poor | Slimy | Weak | 0.1–0.5 | ❌ Not ideal |
| CMC | Medium | Slick | Medium | 0.1–0.5 | ⚠️ Cloudy at high levels |
| Gellan Gum (LA) | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Clean | ✅ Strong | 0.025–0.05 | 🏆 Best choice |
🧃 Real-Life Example: Suspended Orange Juice
A client producing clear orange juice with fine pulp wanted:
- No sedimentation for at least 6 months
- No impact on citrus flavor
- Clear appearance in PET bottles
👉 CINOGEL Biotech provided a low-acyl gellan gum grade tailored for beverages. With a dosage of just 0.035%, the pulp remained evenly suspended, the juice stayed clear and drinkable, and the product passed thermal processing.
🏭 Why Choose CINOGEL Biotech?
CINOGEL Biotech is a trusted supplier of high-purity gellan gum with:
- 🧪 Customized grades for beverages and suspensions
- 📄 Full compliance with food regulations (FCC, EU, China GB)
- 🌍 Global export support and technical consultation
- 🧰 Formulation guidance for new product launches
✅ Conclusion
If you're developing a clear juice drink with suspended pulp, and you're asking:
“What hydrocolloid should I use?”
💡 The answer is: Low-acyl gellan gum.
It's the only clean-label hydrocolloid that offers:
- 🧃 High clarity
- 🧲 Strong suspension power
- 👅 Light mouthfeel
- 📦 Long-term stability in the bottle
Reach out to CINOGEL Biotech today to request a sample and get support for your pulp juice innovation.
