Locust Bean Gum
Locust Bean Gum is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree. Locust bean gum is a fine white powder with many uses in food production. The gum is mildly sweet and has a subtle chocolate taste. However, it’s used in such small amounts that it does not affect the flavour of the products it’s added to. Locust bean gum is made of an indigestible fibre called galactomannan polysaccharides, which have a long, chain-like molecular structure. These polysaccharides give the gum its unique ability to turn into a gel in liquid and thicken foods. It’s most commonly used as a thickener in food production, particularly in natural or organic foods that are free of highly refined ingredients.
The gum comes from the seeds of the carob tree, which is also known as the locust tree, as its pods resemble the insect of the same name. Locust bean gum is appropriate for vegan diets. In fact, it’s an excellent plant-based thickener that can help add structure and stability to vegan desserts, such as non-dairy ice cream and yogurt. Locust Bean Gum is a very good Stabilizer, Flocculating Agent, Hydrocolloid and Bonding Agent.
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Locust bean gum has several potential health benefits.
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High in Soluble fiber is also great for yoghurt, Ice Cream, Cheese etc.
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The gum is mildly sweet and has a subtle chocolate taste.
Properties of Locust Bean Gum
- Moisture Controlling Agent
- Viscous Agent
- Thickening Agent
- Stabilizer
- Texture Modifier, etc
- Improves Elasticity
These properties keep this derivative suitable for several industrial applications. However, though other types of gum powders are also available as viscous agents, the main difference in the application of Locust bean gum is that it gives out complete viscosity when applied after dispersing the gum powder in water.
Industrial Applications
The thickening and viscous property make this product stay suitable for several manufacturing industries and some of the important industrial applications of Locust extract are
- Food Industry– It is used in food processing industry to thicken food products such as ice creams, cheese condiments, bakery products, baby foods, desserts, sausages, salads, fruit extract syrup, etc. Cosmetic Industries- Cosmetic product production finds locust gum powder to be a best ingredient in making lotion, creams, etc.
- Pet food– Locust gum powder is applied as a thickening agent in pet food production. It is considered as an important ingredient for the same.
Locust Gum in Textile Indusries
Textile Printing-Textile industry applies locust seed powder as an important ingredient and sizing agent that helps to maintain the texture of natural fabrics. In addition, textile printing technology also make of locust product as a thickener of printing paste. This ingredient helps in obtaining the colouring in perfect and natural shade over the fabric. In addition, printing on the fabric penetrated deeply into the fabric which also avoids the print to spread outside the preferred area.
Health Advantages of Locust Seed Extract
Locust bean gum powder tastes similar to that of cocoa and many food industries which prepare special food items for diet conscious and diabetic people prefer this product as an alternative for cocoa. Hence, food recipes that contain cocoa as an ingredient apply locust extract as an alternative. This gum powder contains good quantity of natural fibre hence; it is also preferred as an alternative to reduce fat content. Food products containing Locus extract as a sweetener stays best for diabetic. Locust beans when added as alternative sweetener reduces the caloric value also.