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Gum arabic (gummi arabicus) is the name of a hard and transparent resin that is distinguished by various types of acacia, including Seyal. A food supplement of this kind has been reported as E414.
Description and distribution of acacia Sealskaya
A tree with a well-developed above-ground part up to 10 m high, with fine and bicamulus foliage, as well as a flattened crown. The flowers are small in size, spherical in shape, yellowish staining. Stipules mutated into spines. The root system is well adapted for growth and development in arid and sandy regions, as well as on flooded clay soils. The main areas of growth include territories located in East and West Africa.
The chemical composition of gum arabic
The basic chemical composition is heterogeneous and directly depends on some species characteristics of the plant, age, soil and climatic conditions in the area of growth, as well as other factors. A significant amount of arabinum is noted, represented by potassium, calcium and magnesium salts of arabinic acid.
As a result of acid hydrolysis, such a component is split into components in the form of arabinose, galactose, ramnose and glucuronic acid. The peculiarity of arabin is the ability to slowly but fully dissolve in ordinary cold water with the subsequent formation of a slightly yellowish, but transparent, thick and fairly sticky liquid.
Resin Benefits
Properties and benefits of gum arabic
A food stabilizer has a sufficient number of useful properties, which are represented by the ability to provide the human body with plant fibers. This tool is used to prevent various pathologies of the digestive system, for the treatment of heart and vascular diseases, as well as hypertension, overweight and diabetes. In pharmacology, the component is used as a binding component and tablet glaze, serves as a component of sedative syrups and is well established as a suspending agent and emulsifier in medicines.
The use of gum arabic in the food industry
Gum arabic belongs to the category of well-known and very popular natural compounds that have long been used as a food supplement. The substance is used:
- in brewing, therefore, it is introduced into the composition of a light alcoholic drink at the stage of active fermentation. Due to the characteristics of the substance, the drink is able to form a sufficient amount of foam. The component also has a pronounced brightening property;
- in winemaking. The component is added to varietal red wines, which allows the finished drink to acquire a very stable and saturated color;
- in the dairy industry. It is added to products such as yogurt, whipped cream, various creams and ice cream.
In the production of chewing gum, the addition of gum allows you to keep different flavors in the base for as long as possible, which makes the aftertaste very pronounced and long-lasting. The component has proven itself in the production of pastille, dragee and sweets, as it very effectively prevents the crystallization of sugar in such products. The product is also used very widely in the preparation of glaze.which is then applied to the baking surface.
Use of acacia resin in other areas
Arabian gum is widely used in many areas and fields, therefore it is very popular in such non-food industries as light industry. Resin is very actively used in the manufacturing process of traditional watercolor paints, as well as special dyes used for dyeing fabrics, wool and ceramics.
The effect of the stabilizer gum arabic on the human body
Resin flowing from the plant in a natural way through fractures and cracks in the tree bark is subject to collection. The resin is cleaned by dissolution in water, centrifugation, as well as during filtration and sterilization. The absence of chemical treatment makes the stabilizer absolutely safe for human life and health. Among other things, positive effects of gum were also noted:
- normalization of the secretion of gastric juice;
- inhibition of the release of digestive enzymes;
- low blood glucose;
- removal of toxins from the body;
- disposal of salts of heavy metals;
- lowering the concentration of lipids in the blood.
In cosmetology, the product is also in demand and is part of many lotions, nourishing masks and protective creams.
How to collect resin
Preparation of a solution from gum arabic at home
For self-made solution based on acacia resin, it is necessary to prepare distilled or well-purified drinking spring water. Acacia gum in order to improve and accelerate dissolution in a liquid medium, it is advisable to thoroughly grind. The concentration of the finished solution directly depends on the volume of water used to dilute the gum.
As a rule, a traditional solution is prepared from the ratio of one part of the active substance to three parts of purified water at room temperature. The composition must be actively shaken and thoroughly mixed until a characteristic jelly-like mass is obtained. The resulting solution is filtered, which allows you to save it from foreign impurities. Self-prepared solution must be stored in the refrigerator without fail. The finished product, even subject to storage conditions, can deteriorate quickly enough, so it is advisable to prepare the amount of solution necessary for use at the moment.
About the possible harm of gum arabic
Despite the fact that acacia resin is a completely natural and extremely useful product, there are some restrictions on its use. The use of gum should be limited if there is a history of severe chronic pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as individual intolerance. Important to remember, that even a completely healthy person should not consume a food stabilizer in an amount of more than 2 g per kilogram of body weight.
