LOCUST BEAN GUM

Chemical properties

branched, nonionic polymer.

Chemical properties

Ceratonia occurs as a yellow-green or white colored powder. Although odorless and tasteless in the dry powder form, ceratonia acquires a leguminous taste when boiled in water.

Chemical properties

Carob bean gum is a natural product obtained from the endosperm of milled seeds from the fruit pod of C. siliqua. Carob bean gum is obtained from the macerated endosperm of the seeds of the fruit pod of the carob tree. This endosperm, comprising 42 to 46% of the kernel, contains virtually all of the galactomannan present in the seed. Galactomannan is not found in the kibble. Carob bean gum is used as a food stabilizer and thickener, a flavor and/or flavor modifier, an emulsifier, a texturizer and a solvent/ carrier/encapsulating agent.

Physical properties

It is a white to yellowish-white powder. It is dispersible in either hot or cold water, forming a solution having a pH between 5.4 and 7.0, which may be converted to gel by the addition of small amounts of sodium borate.

The Uses of LOCUST BEAN GUM

Locust bean gum (LBG, galactomannan polysaccharide) from Ceratonia siliqua seeds may be used as a substrate to help identify, differentiate and characterize mannanase(s), such as the β-Mannanases (EC 3.2.1.78). LBG may be used in the development of drug delivery devices. LBG may be used to study its properties as a protective agent on both eucalyptus and microcrystalline cellulose destruction of crystallinity by ball milling. LBG may be used to study its properties as a food additive that reduces spoilage caused by Aspergillus flavus. LBG may be used as a starting material for the organic synthesis of hyperbranched N-glycan core structures.

The Uses of LOCUST BEAN GUM

Locust Bean Gum is a gum that is a galactomannan obtained from the plant seed from the locust bean tree known as ceratonia siliqua. it has a mannose:galactose ratio of approximately 4:1. its properties include swelling partially in cold water but requiring heating to approximately 82°c for complete solubility. it provides high viscos- ity, forms gels with xanthan gum upon heating and cooling of the solution, and functions as a water binder. it can make agar or car- rageenan gels more elastic. its uses include processed cheese, ice cream, bakery products, soups, and pies. typical usage level is 0.1– 1.0%. it is also called carob gum or saint john’s bread, and is scien- tifically called carubin.

Production Methods

Ceratonia is a naturally occurring material obtained from the ground endosperms separated from the seeds of the locust bean tree, Ceratonia siliqua (Leguminosae). The tree is indigenous to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.

General Description

Off-white to yellow-green powder. Odorless and tasteless, but acquires a leguminous taste when boiled in water.

Air & Water Reactions

Insoluble in water.

Health Hazard

ACUTE/CHRONIC HAZARDS: When heated to decomposition LOCUST BEAN GUM emits acrid smoke and fumes.

Fire Hazard

Flash point data for LOCUST BEAN GUM are not available. However, LOCUST BEAN GUM is probably combustible.

Pharmaceutical Applications

Ceratonia is a naturally occurring material generally used as a substitute for tragacanth or other similar gums. A ceratonia mucilage that is slightly more viscous than tragacanth mucilage may be prepared by boiling 1.0–1.5% of powdered ceratonia with water. As a viscosity-increasing agent, ceratonia is said to be five times as effective as starch and twice as effective as tragacanth. Ceratonia has also been used as a tablet binder and is used in oral controlled-release drug delivery systems approved in Europe and the USA.
Ceratonia is widely used as a binder, thickening agent, and stabilizing agent in the cosmetics and food industry. In foods, 0.15–0.75% is used. Therapeutically, ceratonia mucilage is used orally in adults and children to regulate intestinal function.

Safety Profile

Mildly toxic by ingestion. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Safety

Ceratonia is generally regarded as an essentially noncarcinogenic, nontoxic and nonirritant material. Therapeutically, it has been used in oral formulations for the control of vomiting and diarrhea in adults and children; 20–40 g daily in adults has been used dispersed in liquid. As an excipient, ceratonia is used in oral controlledrelease formulations approved in Europe and the USA.
Ceratonia is also widely used in food products. The WHO has not specified an acceptable total daily intake for ceratonia as the total daily intake arising from its use at the levels necessary to achieve the desired effect, and from its acceptable background in food, was not considered to represent a hazard to health. Ceratonia hypersensitivity has been reported, in a single case report, in an infant. However, ceratonia is said to be nonallergenic in children with known allergy to peanuts.
LD₅₀ (hamster, oral): 10.0 g/kg
LD₅₀ (mouse, oral): 13.0 g/kg
LD₅₀ (rabbit, oral): 9.1 g/kg
LD₅₀ (rat, oral): 13.0 g/kg

storage

The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place. Ceratonia loses not more than 15% of its weight on drying.

Incompatibilities

The viscosity of xanthan gum solutions is increased in the presence of ceratonia. This interaction is used synergistically in controlledrelease drug delivery systems.

Regulatory Status

GRAS listed. Accepted for use in Europe as a food additive. In Europe and the USA, ceratonia has been used in oral tablet formulations.