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Xanthan Gum in Food & Beverage: The Ultimate Functional Ingredient Guide

Views: 23     Author: Kevin     Publish Time: 2021-10-05      Origin: Qingdao Unionchem Co., Ltd.


With the global xanthan gum market projected to reach USD 1.16 billion by 2033 (CAGR 6.1%), this microbial polysaccharide has become indispensable in modern food processing. As a leading Chinese manufacturer with ISO 9001, FDA GRAS, and HALAL certifications, Qingdao Unionchem delivers 8,000 MT annually of high-purity xanthan gum, trusted by Nestlé, Danone, and Coca-Cola for its unparalleled functionality and clean label compliance.

5 Key Functions Transforming Food & Beverages

1. Viscosity Control & Rheology Modulation

  • Shear-Thinning Behavior: Creates creamy textures at rest while thinning under shear (pumping/stirring), ideal for sauces and dressings (0.2% dosage) .

  • Temperature Stability: Maintains viscosity across -18°C (frozen desserts) to 121°C (retorted sauces) .

2. Emulsion & Suspension Stability

  • Oil-in-Water Systems: Stabilizes salad dressings for 6+ months without phase separation (Case Study: Italian Dressing Manufacturer, 2024).

  • Particle Suspension: Prevents pulp settling in fruit juices (0.1% addition) and cocoa sedimentation in chocolate milk.

3. Water Retention & Shelf-Life Extension

  • Bakery Applications: 0.2% addition reduces bread staling by 30% and increases moisture retention by 25% (Texture Analyzer data).

  • Meat Products: Reduces cooking loss in ham from 12% to 5% at 0.3% dosage.

4. Clean Label Compliance

Fermented from non-GMO corn starch, compliant with EU Regulation (EC) 1333/2008 and USDA Organic standards, supporting "natural," "gluten-free," and "vegan" claims .

5. Cost Efficiency

Low usage level (0.05-0.5%) delivers optimal results, reducing raw material costs by 20% vs. gum arabic .

Technical Excellence: Unionchem's Xanthan Gum Specifications

Parameter

Unionchem Standard

Industry Benchmark

Viscosity (1% KCl)

1400–1600 cps (±50 cps)

1200–1600 cps

Pyruvic Acid

≥1.8%

≥1.5%

Heavy Metals

Pb<2ppm, As<3ppm

≤20ppm

Microbial Count

≤1000 CFU/g

≤2000 CFU/g

Application Spotlight: Sector-Specific Solutions

Beverages

  • Fruit Juices: 0.08% xanthan gum + 0.05% pectin prevents pulp settling for 12 months (Case Study: Brazilian Juice Producer, 2024).

  • Plant-Based Milks: 0.1% dosage achieves 3-month stability in almond milk without gums separation .

Dairy & Frozen Desserts

  • Yogurt: 0.05% addition reduces whey separation by 45% during cold storage .

  • Ice Cream: Controls ice crystal growth at 0.15% dosage, improving melt resistance by 50% .

Sauces & Dressings

  • Ketchup: 0.3% xanthan gum achieves 3000–4000 cps viscosity with excellent cling to fries .

  • Low-Oil Dressings: Creates creamy texture with 50% less oil using 0.4% xanthan gum .

Bakery & Confections

  • Gluten-Free Bread: 0.5% xanthan gum + 0.3% guar gum mimics gluten texture, achieving 90% consumer acceptance .

  • Frostings: 0.2% addition prevents sugar crystallization and water migration .

Why Unionchem Stands Out

  • Vertical Integration: In-house fermentation (Xanthomonas campestris) to finished product, ensuring traceability.

  • Customization: Tailored viscosity grades (500–2000 cps) and particle sizes (80–200 mesh).

  • Global Logistics: 7-day delivery to Rotterdam/Houston ports with 25kg waterproof packaging.

Request Your Technical Package

Gain access to:

✅ Free sample with COA

✅ Formulation guides for 20+ applications

✅ Bulk pricing (MOQ 500kg)


Contact us today:

Email: sales@unionchem.com.cn

Phone: +86-13953383796

Website: www.unionchem.com.cn

"Trusted by 100+ food manufacturers—where science meets taste."

Certifications: ISO 9001, FDA GRAS, HALAL, KOSHER

Production Capacity: 8,000 MT/year

Lead Time: 7–10 days to major ports