E418 Gellan gum/Icon/button is a naturally derived polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Sphingomonas elodea through fermentation. It has a unique and versatile set of properties that make it a valuable ingredient in the food and beverage industry.
- Texturizing and Gelling Properties:
Gellan gum can be used in a variety of food and beverage products as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent. It has the ability to form high-strength gels at low concentrations (0.1-1%) without the need for heat, making it a cost-effective ingredient in the food industry. Gellan gum can also create different textures, from soft gels to firm, brittle gels, depending on the concentration used and the processing conditions. Its ability to form strong and elastic gels is particularly useful in products such as desserts, confectionery, and dairy alternatives.
- Thermal Stability:
Gellan gum has excellent thermal stability, which means that it can withstand high temperatures during processing and is suitable for products that require sterilization or pasteurization. This makes it an ideal ingredient for products such as canned or bottled beverages, baby foods, and sauces.
- Shear-Thinning Behavior:
Gellan gum exhibits shear-thinning behavior, which means that its viscosity decreases under shear stress, making it easy to handle and process. This property makes it a popular ingredient in products such as dressings, sauces, and soups where it can provide viscosity and suspension without compromising the texture.
- Compatibility with Other Ingredients:
Gellan gum is compatible with a wide range of food ingredients, including sugars, acids, and salts, and can be used in combination with other hydrocolloids, such as xanthan gum, to enhance their functional properties and create unique textures in food products. This makes it a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different food and beverage applications.
- Clean Flavor Profile:
Gellan gum has a clean flavor profile and does not interfere with or mask the flavors of other ingredients in the food product. This makes it an ideal ingredient for products where the flavor profile is critical, such as beverages, dairy alternatives, and fruit preparations.
- Stability:
Gellan gum is stable over a wide range of pH levels and is not affected by calcium ions, making it a useful ingredient in acidic and calcium-rich products. Its stability also makes it an ideal ingredient for products with a long shelf life.
- Suitable for Special Dietary Requirements:
Gellan gum is suitable for use in vegan, vegetarian, halal, and kosher products. It is also non-allergenic and does not contain any genetically modified organisms (GMOs).
From what we said above,we can see that gellan gum's unique and versatile properties make it a valuable ingredient in the food and beverage industry. It can provide stability, texture, and viscosity to food and beverage products, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. Its compatibility with other ingredients, clean flavor profile, and suitability for special dietary requirements also make it a popular choice among food manufacturers.