Xanthan gum facts for kids

Xanthan gum is a special kind of polysaccharide. Think of it as a complex sugar molecule. It's often used to make things thicker. For example, it makes salad dressing thicker so it sticks to your salad. It also helps cosmetics stay mixed together.

To make xanthan gum, tiny living things called bacteria are used. A specific type, Xanthomonas campestris, is added to glucose or sucrose. These are simple sugars. The mixture is left to ferment, which is like a natural process where the bacteria change the sugar. After fermenting, isopropyl alcohol is added. This helps separate the thick sugar substance from the mixture. Then, this substance is dried and ground into a fine powder. When this powder is added to a liquid, it becomes thick and ready to use.

The Story of Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum was first found by a research team in the United States. This team was led by a scientist named Allene Rosalind Jeanes. They were studying many natural substances. They wanted to see if these substances could be useful.

The Kelco Company was the first to make xanthan gum for sale. This happened in the early 1960s. At that time, Kelco called it "Kelzan." Later, in 1968, tests showed that xanthan gum was safe to eat. Now, many countries, including the USA, Canada, and Europe, allow xanthan gum in food.

How Xanthan Gum Is Used

Xanthan gum is great at making liquids thicker. It works well in many different temperatures. It also works in liquids with different pH levels (how acidic or basic something is). You only need a tiny bit of xanthan gum to make most foods thick. Usually, less than 1% is enough.

One cool thing about xanthan gum is how it changes thickness. When you mix, shake, or chew something with xanthan gum, it gets thinner. But when you stop, it gets thick again. This is called pseudoplasticity. It's very useful! For example, salad dressing with xanthan gum is thick. It clings to your salad. But when you shake the bottle, it becomes thin. This makes it easy to pour.

Xanthan Gum in Food

Many foods use xanthan gum. You can find it in salad dressings and sauces. Even though it's not an emulsifier, it helps keep oil and water mixed. This stops them from separating. It also keeps spices and other small bits of food spread out evenly.

Xanthan gum is also used in frozen treats. It helps make ice cream and other frozen foods creamy. Bakers who make Gluten-free foods use xanthan gum. It helps make dough sticky, just like gluten does. Some packaged egg whites also have xanthan gum. It helps replace the fat found in egg yolks.

Other Uses for Xanthan Gum

You might find xanthan gum in your Toothpaste. It helps give toothpaste a smooth texture. People who have trouble swallowing liquids sometimes add xanthan gum to drinks. It makes them thicker and easier to swallow safely.

Xanthan gum is even used in oil drilling. It makes the drilling mud thicker. This thick mud helps carry rocks and dirt from deep underground to the surface. When builders need to pour concrete underwater, they add xanthan gum. It makes the concrete thicker. This stops it from washing away.

Many cosmetics also contain xanthan gum. It helps mix oil and water together in lotions and creams. It can also help keep your skin moist. Even fun things like fake blood, toy slime, and gunge get their thickness from xanthan gum!

Xanthan Gum and Your Health

Most people can eat xanthan gum without problems. However, some workers who breathed in a lot of xanthan gum dust got allergy-like symptoms.

People with Coeliac disease or other food sensitivities need to be careful. Some xanthan gum is made using wheat, corn, or soy. These could cause allergic reactions in some people. Also, eating too much xanthan gum can act like a strong laxative. This can cause diarrhea in some people. If you are sensitive to it, there are other options for baking. These include guar gum or locust bean gum.

See also

In Spanish: Xantano para niños