gum arabic
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: - A natural gum substance obtained from the sap of various species of acacia trees, primarily Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal. It is a complex mixture of polysaccharides and glycoproteins that is water-soluble. Its primary commercial use is as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Usage
- As a food additive: Gum arabic is used to give texture, prevent crystallization, and bind ingredients in products like candies, soft drinks, and icing.
- In pharmaceuticals: It is used as a binder in pills and tablets and as a stabilizer in emulsions.
- In art and crafts: It has historical and contemporary use as a binder in watercolor paints, inks, and adhesives.
Examples
- In a sentence (Food context):
- In a sentence (Industrial context):
- In a sentence (General description): Gum arabic is harvested by making incisions in the bark of acacia trees.
Advanced Usage
- "Gum arabic solution": A preparation where gum arabic is dissolved in water, often used as a glaze or adhesive.
- The artist prepared a gum arabic solution to mix with her watercolor pigments.
- Technical/Commercial Context: Often referred to by its E number (E414) in the European Union's food additive labeling system.
Variants and Related Words
- Acacia gum: A synonym for gum arabic, emphasizing its botanical source.
- Gum acacia: Another common synonym.
- E414: The food additive code for gum arabic.
- Gum tragacanth: A different plant gum (from shrubs) sometimes used for similar purposes but with different properties.
Synonyms
- Acacia gum
- Gum acacia
- E414 (in food labeling)
Notes on Different Meanings
- The term "gum arabic" refers specifically to this product from acacia trees. It is not a general term for any gum or adhesive. The "arabic" in its name historically refers to its origin and trade routes through Arab regions.
Noun
- gum from an acacia tree; used as a thickener (especially in candies and pharmaceuticals)