Gellan Gum is one of the most popular ingredients used in food products, it is widely used in many foods & beverages product, it is found for examplein salad dressings, sauces, ice cream and also gluten free foods. why is it such a popular ingredient?
What you need to know:
1. gellan gum is a naturally occurring carbohydrate which not made of any animal product,it is made by fermentation process from a bacterial culture found in nature.So you can say gellan gum is natural gum,vegan friendly gum.
2. Gellan Gum is an emulsifier. It helps ingredients blend more effectively and stay blended while waiting on a shelf. For example – water and oil mixtures, as well as bits of spice in a salad dressing.
3. Gellan Gum is also used as a thickener. Add a bit to water and it becomes more viscous. Many fat free salad dressing maintain and oily viscosity by using thickeners such as Gellan Gum. In pastry fillings, it prevents the water seeping out and soaking the dough, thus protecting the crispness of the crust.
4. Gellan Gum is used in ice creams as well to prevent the formation of ice crystals and keep the product “smooth”.
5. Gellan Gum has become popular in the gluten free circles. It helps give the dough a sticky consistency.
6. Only a small amount of Gellan Gum will help to achieve the desired result, usually less than 0.3% of the dosage formula.
7. When mixed with guar gum or locust bean gum, the viscosity is more than when either one is used alone, so less of each can be used.
8. Nutritionally, Gellan Gum is a carbohydrate with 7 grams of fiber per tablespoon. This may cause bloating in some people.
9. Gellan Gum may be derived from a variety of sources such as corn, wheat, or soy. People with an allergy to one of the above, need to avoid foods with Gellan Gum, or to ascertain the source.
10. Gellan Gum was “discovered” by a team of USDA researchers in the 1960′s. In 1968 it was approved for use as a food additive in the US and Europe.
