1. Xanthan gum
Xanthan gum, CAS 11138-66-2, E 415, molecular formula C35H49O29, molecular weight 933.748 g/mol.
Xanthan gum is a microbial extracellular polysaccharide with a wide range of effects produced by Xanthomonas campestris with carbohydrates as the main raw material (such as corn starch) through fermentation engineering.
2. Characteristics of xanthan gum
Xanthan gum is currently the most superior biological gum in the world, which integrates thickening, suspension, emulsification, and stabilization in one. Xanthan gum molecular side chain end contains a number of pyruvate groups, which has a great impact on its performance. Xanthan gum has the general properties of long-chain polymers, but it contains more functional groups than normal polymers, which will show unique properties under specific conditions. Its conformation in an aqueous solution is diverse and shows different properties under different conditions.
3. Applications of xanthan gum
Xanthan gum due to its unique properties, so in the food, petroleum, pharmaceutical, daily chemical, and other dozen fields has a very wide range of applications, its high degree of commercialization, the application of a wide range, so that any other microbial polysaccharides are unparalleled.
3.1 Food: many foods are added to xanthan gum as a stabilizer, emulsifier, suspending agent, thickening agent, and processing aids.
3.2 Daily chemical: xanthan gum molecule contains a large number of hydrophilic groups, is a good surface-active substance, and has antioxidants, prevents skin aging and other effects, so almost most high-end cosmetics have xanthan gum as its main functional ingredients.
3.3 Medical: Xanthan gum is a functional component of the internationally popular microencapsulated drug capsule material, which plays an important role in controlling the slow release of drugs; due to its strong hydrophilic and water retention, there are many specific medical applications, such as the formation of a dense water film to avoid skin infections; to reduce the patient’s thirst after radiation therapy.
3.4 Industrial and agricultural applications: in the petroleum industry, due to its strong pseudo-plasticity, a low concentration of xanthan gum (0.5%) aqueous solution can maintain the viscosity of the drilling fluid and control its rheological properties, and thus in the high-speed rotation of the bit part of the viscosity is very small, saving power; while in the relatively stationary drilling part of the high viscosity, thereby preventing the collapse of the good wall.
4. Manufacturers of xanthan gum
China is the largest exporter of xanthan gum.
The main manufacturers of xanthan gum are CP Kelco, Fufeng Group Company Limited, Deosen Biochemical Ltd, Meihua Holding Group Co., Ltd, and Jianlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
4.1 CP Kelco
In 1959, Kelco launches the world’s first commercial production of xanthan gum in San Diego, California, USA.
4.2 Fufeng Group Company Limited
Fufeng Group Company Limited is an international bio-fermentation products company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. It focuses on the research, development, production, and operation of various amino acids and their derivative products and bio colloids, and is a world-renowned manufacturer of MSG, xanthan gum, and amino acids.
4.3 Deosen Biochemical Ltd
Since 1991, Deosen Biochemical Ltd has grown to become the world’s leading producer of xanthan gum, meeting the most stringent requirements of quality, consistency, service, and price of many major companies.
They have the most complete and advanced production, innovation, and supply capabilities in the industry, all of which come from our dedication to xanthan gum products.
4.4 Meihua Holding Group Co., Ltd
Meihua Holding Group Co., Ltd. is the world’s leading provider of nutritional health solutions for amino acids. The company provides a wide range of amino acid products and solutions for their use through a number of well-known customers in more than 100 countries and regions around the world. The company was founded in 2002 and listed on the Shanghai A-share market at the end of 2010. Its office is located in Langfang City, Hebei Province.
4.5 Jianlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd
Jianlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd. was established in April 2007 and is located in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Its main business is the production and sale of xanthan gum, a biopolymer, and dietary fiber (resistant dextrin).
5. Summary
Xanthan gum has superior suspension, emulsification, water solubility, and thickening properties, widely used in food, petroleum, pharmaceutical, daily chemical, and more than a dozen fields.
The main producers of xanthan gum are CP Kelco, Fufeng Group Company Limited, Deosen Biochemical Ltd, Meihua Holding Group Co., Ltd, and Jianlong Biotechnology Co., Ltd.
