🌸 Low Acyl Gellan Gum for Solid Air Freshener Gel — The Ultimate Guide
Looking for a clear, firm, and stable gel base for solid air fresheners?
👉 Low Acyl Gellan Gum (LAG) is one of the most efficient and elegant solutions in the fragrance gel industry. Its strong gelation ability, excellent clarity, and temperature stability make it ideal for creating solid air freshener gels used in jars, cups, or decorative blocks.
💎 What Is Low Acyl Gellan Gum?
Low Acyl Gellan Gum is a natural polysaccharide produced by microbial fermentation.
It forms clear, firm, and brittle gels even at very low concentrations.
🔹 High transparency — perfect for aesthetic air-freshener gels
🔹 Excellent fragrance compatibility
🔹 High temperature stability
🔹 Can form gels with water alone (with small amount of calcium ions)
These features make it the preferred gelling agent for solid air fresheners, home fragrances, and decorative gel blocks.
🧪 Why Use Low Acyl Gellan Gum in Air Freshener Gels?
| Property | Benefit in Air Fresheners |
|---|---|
| Strong gel structure | Prevents melting or deformation during storage |
| Low concentration needed | Cost-effective formulation |
| Transparent gel | Enhances appearance & color effects |
| Thermal reversibility | Allows easy re-melting and molding |
| Cation-dependent setting | Easy control of firmness & brittleness |
Unlike carrageenan or agar, gellan gum allows precise texture control — from soft, elastic gels to hard, crystal-clear blocks.
⚗️ Basic Formula for Solid Air Freshener Gel
Here's a typical formulation guide using low acyl gellan gum:
| Ingredient | Percentage (%) | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Water | 80–95 | Main vehicle |
| Low Acyl Gellan Gum | 0.25–1.0 | Gelling agent |
| Calcium Chloride (CaCl₂) | 0.01–0.2 | Crosslinking ion |
| Glycerol or Propylene Glycol | 2–12 | Plasticizer (reduces brittleness) |
| Fragrance Oil | 0.5–5 | Aroma component |
| Preservative | 0.05–0.3 | Microbial protection |
💡 Start at 0.5% LAG and adjust depending on firmness and clarity desired.
🔬 Step-by-Step Production Method
Follow these key steps to achieve perfect gel consistency and clarity:
- Heat the water to 90–95°C.
- Slowly add Low Acyl Gellan Gum under constant stirring to fully dissolve.
- Maintain at high temperature for 2–5 minutes until the solution turns clear.
- Add glycerol / plasticizer and mix well.
- Cool the solution to 50–60°C, then add fragrance oil and CaCl₂ solution.
- Mix gently and pour into molds or jars while warm.
- Allow to set at room temperature for 12–24 hours for full gelation.
✅ Result: Clear, solid, stable gel with long-lasting fragrance release.
🧴 Example Lab Formulas
1️⃣ Transparent Firm Gel (Decorative Jar Type)
- Water: 940 g
- Low Acyl Gellan Gum: 6.0 g (0.6%)
- Glycerol: 30 g (3.0%)
- Fragrance: 20 g (2.0%)
- CaCl₂ (10% solution): 0.5 g (0.05%)
- Preservative: 1 g
🧊 Outcome: Crystal-clear, firm gel with long shelf life.
2️⃣ Softer, Less Brittle Gel (Blend Type)
- Water: 920 g
- Low Acyl Gellan Gum: 0.5%
- High Acyl Gellan Gum: 0.1% (optional)
- Glycerol: 4.0%
- Fragrance: 2.5%
- CaCl₂: 0.03–0.04%
🪄 Outcome: Smooth, flexible gel suitable for refill cups or large blocks.
⚙️ Texture & Clarity Adjustment Tips
| Goal | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| More firmness | Increase gellan gum or Ca²⁺ slightly |
| Less brittleness | Add glycerol 3–10% or small % high-acyl gellan |
| Better clarity | Ensure full hydration at 90–95°C and use deionized water |
| Reduce weeping | Lower oil content, stabilize pH, or add 0.05–0.1% xanthan gum |
🌿 Fragrance Compatibility
Fragrance oils can affect gel clarity and stability.
To ensure good compatibility:
- Use Polysorbate 20 or PEG-based solubilizers for oil dispersion.
- Add fragrance below 60°C to prevent volatility loss.
- Avoid excess aldehyde-rich or solvent-heavy fragrances that may destabilize the gel.
⚡ Common Problems & Solutions
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Gritty texture | Incomplete dissolution | Heat longer at 90–95°C |
| Weak gel | Low Ca²⁺ or gellan % | Increase slightly |
| Too brittle | Excess Ca²⁺ or low glycerol | Adjust ratios |
| Cloudy gel | Fragrance not solubilized | Use surfactant or reduce oil |
| Syneresis (liquid separation) | High oil or pH drift | Stabilize formulation |
🧠 Pro Formulation Insight
Adding a small amount of high-acyl gellan gum (0.1–0.2%) or xanthan gum (0.05–0.2%) can significantly improve elasticity and prevent cracking, while maintaining clarity.
🏭 Industrial Applications
Low acyl gellan gum is widely used in:
- Solid air fresheners
- Gel candles (as fragrance carriers)
- Room deodorant gels
- Toilet fragrance blocks
- Decorative scented jars
Its thermal stability, clarity, and clean texture make it ideal for both household and commercial fragrance applications.
💼 Professional Source: CINOGEL Biotech
As a professional gellan gum manufacturer, CINOGEL Biotech supplies high-purity low acyl gellan gum optimized for non-food applications like air freshener gels, gel candles, and cosmetic bases.
Our technical team provides formulation support, sample evaluation, and custom blends for your specific production needs.
🧩 Conclusion
Low Acyl Gellan Gum is a powerful, clean-label gelling agent for creating high-quality solid air fresheners.
With the right balance of water, calcium, glycerol, and fragrance, formulators can achieve:
✨ Beautiful transparency
✨ Long-lasting aroma
✨ Perfect firmness and stability
💬 Need technical support or a trial sample?
👉 Contact CINOGEL Biotech to discuss your solid air-freshener formulation today.
