What is xanthan gum
Mar 17, 2021
Xanthan gum is an extracellular acidic heteropolysaccharide produced by Xanthomonas. D-glucose, D-mannose and D-glucuronic acid are high molecular weight polysaccharides with a 2:2:1 ratio. The secondary structure of xanthan gum is that the side chain is wound in reverse around the backbone of the main chain, and a rod-like double helix structure is formed hydrogen bonds.
Xanthan gum is a light yellow to white pourable powder with a slight odor. Soluble in cold and hot water, neutral, resistant to freezing and thawing, insoluble in ethanol. When it meets water, it disperses and turns into a stable hydrophilic viscous colloid.
The amount of pyruvate group at the end of the molecular side chain of xanthan gum has a major influence on its properties. Xanthan gum has the general properties of a long-chain polymer, but it contains more functional groups than a conventional polymer and exhibits unique properties under certain conditions. Its conformations in aqueous solution are different and exhibit different characteristics under different conditions.
