Hydrocolloids, classification

Mocak, J. Jurasek, P. Phillips, G.O, Vargas, S. Casadei, E. Ghikamai, B.N. (1998). The classification of natural gums. X. Chemometric characterization of exudate gums that conform to the revised specification of the gum arabic for food use, and the identification of adulterants. Food Hydrocolloids, Vol. 12, No. 2, (April 1998), pp 141-150, ISSN 0268-005X. 

Classification Sulfated polysaccharide Definition Hydrocolloid obtained from various members of the Gigartinaceae or Solieriaceae families of the red seaweed, Rhodophyceae consists of sulfite esters of galactose and 3,6-an hydrogalactose copolymers Properties Yel. wh. powd., odorless, tasteless sol. in hot water, hot cone. NaCI sol n. insol. in oils and org. soivs. 

Classification Nonaromatic alcohol Definition Natural material derived from the ground endosperms of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus] consists of high m.w. hydrocolloidal polysaccharide composed of galactomannan units Properties YIsh.-wh. free-flowing powd. aq. sol ns. tasteless, odorless sol. in hot or cold water insol. in oil, greases, hydrocarbons, ketones, esters m.w. 220,000... 

Classification Hydrocolloidal polysaccharide Properties Wh. or cream to light tan powd. Bland flavor disp. in cold water the main component, glucomannan, has an average molecular weight of 200,000 to 2,000,000 dispersible in hot or cold water forming a highly viscous sol n. with a pH between 4.0 -7.0... 

Natural thickeners can be defined as products obtained from natural sources such as plants, seeds, seaweeds and microorganisms. These products are high molecular weight polymers composed of polysaccharides and are often referred to as hydrocolloids. Production processes vary from simple collection of tree exudates and milling in the case of gum arabic to more complex production by fermentation as in the case of xanthan gum. A number of these natural thickeners are also derivatised in order to modify their properties. Table 2.1 provides a simple classification of these products by source. Tables 2.2-2.4 provide an overview of the main natural thickening agents and their applications. A brief description of each class of hydro colloids is given below but for more detailed information on each of the hydrocolloids there are a number of publications available [ 1—3]. 

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