Gum Arabic is a secretion from the trunk of the African legume gum tree caused by trauma or adversity. It is named because it is mostly produced in Arab countries. It is a natural plant gum produced in the semi-desert zone south of the Sahara Desert in Africa. It mainly includes gum aldose, galactose, glucuronic acid, etc.
Properties of Gum Arabic
Natural gum Arabic often appears as irregular, translucent amber-colored tear-shaped lumps. Refined gum powder is white and tasteless. Gum Arabic is very stable in dry powder form and can be stored for long periods. Studies show that even gum blocks stored for decades show no significant changes in characteristics.
Solubility
Gum Arabic is highly soluble in water and has a low solution viscosity. It dissolves easily in both hot and cold water. It can form a 50% concentration solution that remains fluid, which other hydrophilic colloids cannot achieve. However, it is insoluble in organic solvents like ethanol.
Viscosity
The viscosity of a 5% solution is below 5 centipoise, and a 25% solution has a viscosity of around 80-140 centipoise. It is typical of a “high concentration, low viscosity” colloid. Generally, spray-dried products have a slightly lower viscosity than the original gum.
Rheology
Solutions with concentrations below 40% behave as Newtonian fluids, where viscosity remains constant regardless of shear stress. However, above 40%, the solution starts exhibiting pseudoplastic behavior.
Acid Stability
Gum Arabic contains acidic groups in its structure, making the solution naturally weakly acidic, around pH 4-5 (25% concentration). The maximum viscosity occurs around pH 5-5.5, and the gum remains stable within the pH range of 4-8. Below pH 3, the gum’s solubility and viscosity decrease due to reduced ionization of acidic groups.
Emulsifying Stability
Due to its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, Acacia senegal is an excellent natural emulsifier for water-in-oil emulsions. However, the emulsification performance varies depending on the source of the gum. Gum with higher rhamnose and nitrogen content provides better emulsifying stability. It also reduces surface tension in solutions, making it useful for stabilizing beer foam.
Heat Stability
Heating gum solutions does not typically alter its properties, but prolonged high-temperature exposure can degrade the gum molecules, leading to reduced emulsification efficiency.
Application of Gum Arabic in Cosmetics
Given the above characteristics and its natural properties, acacia senegal is becoming increasingly popular in the cosmetics industry. Many brands highlight it as a key selling point, emphasizing its natural, gentle, safe, and effective features to attract more consumers.
Stabilizing Low Viscosity Emulsion Serums: Gum Arabic is an excellent emulsifier that enhances the stability of low-viscosity oil-water emulsions. This helps resolve emulsion instability, ensuring smoother and longer-lasting formulas.
Green Moisturizer for Low Viscosity: As a natural, eco-friendly ingredient, Gum Arabic acts as a moisturizer in cosmetics. It forms a hydrating film on the skin, improving moisture retention and relieving dryness and dehydration while promoting a sustainable skincare approach.
Enhancing Sunscreen SPF Efficiency: The acidic polysaccharides in Gum Arabic absorb UV rays, acting as a natural sunscreen. It boosts SPF efficiency when added to sunscreen products, providing stronger UV protection in a gentle, natural way.
Fragrance Fixative: In fragrance products, Gum Arabic acts as a gelling agent or emulsifier, improving stability and texture. It creates a better carrier for fragrance release, ensuring prolonged scent and enhanced overall performance.
Application in Eye Cosmetics: Besides skincare, Gum Arabic is widely used in eye makeup products, such as eyeshadows and mascaras. It increases the viscosity and stability of these products, ensuring smooth and even application without smudging or fading for long-lasting wear.
Epic powder
Epic Powder’s advanced grinding and surface modification equipment can further optimize the performance of Gum Arabic in cosmetic applications. By using precision grinding and classifying technology, we ensure that acacia senegal retains its natural properties, enhancing its emulsifying, stabilizing, and moisturizing capabilities. Our high-quality equipment guarantees that manufacturers can consistently achieve the desired product characteristics, ensuring excellent results in every batch. With Epic Powder’s expertise in fine powder processing, we provide the perfect solution for the cosmetics industry to meet evolving consumer needs.
