Other names for the additive (synonyms)
General Information
Xanthan gum (additive E415) is a natural polysaccharide used in the food industry as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener.
Xanthan is produced by fermenting glucose or sucrose with the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. The fermentation process lasts from one to four days. After the fermentation cycle is complete, isopropyl alcohol is added to the raw mixture, causing the polysaccharide to precipitate. The precipitate is then filtered and dried. The resulting powder is supplied to food industry enterprises as additive E415.
Effects on the Body
Benefits
Additive E415 has no known health benefits or medicinal properties. However, its use in food production helps improve certain characteristics of final products.
Harms
After thorough animal studies in 1968, the additive was approved as safe for use in the food industry and was assigned the number E415. Based on recent studies, it is recognized as a safe food additive in the United States, Canada, Europe, and many other countries.
One point of concern regarding emulsifier E415 is the use of isopropyl alcohol during its production, as well as the fact that xanthan is not a substance naturally found in the human body.
Uses
The main feature of additive E415 is its ability to significantly increase liquid viscosity even when used in very small amounts (typically less than 1%). Unlike other thickeners, xanthan gum maintains stable properties across a wide range of temperatures (from -18 ºC to 120 ºC) and pH levels (from 2 to 12).
In food products, it is commonly found in sauces and salad dressings. Although not an emulsifier by nature, the additive helps maintain a uniform consistency.
In the baking industry, when flour lacks sufficient gluten, additive E415 is added to the dough to improve its viscosity and elasticity.
In mayonnaise production, the additive is used to enhance the binding of artificial egg whites and fat emulsions.
Additionally, additive E415 helps reduce moisture loss during thermal processing and storage of food products.
Xanthan gum is also used in:
- the drilling industry (to improve the properties of drilling fluids);
- cosmetics (for making cosmetic gels).
Legal Status
Additive E415 is approved for use in the USA, Canada, European countries, and other parts of the world.
