Introduction
Xanthan gum (CAS 11138-66-2) is a high-performance microbial polysaccharide widely recognized for its exceptional thickening, stabilizing and shear-thinning properties. Approved as E415 in the EU and certified by the U.S. FDA, it serves as a core functional ingredient across the food, industrial manufacturing and pharmaceutical sectors.
Snowhite Chemical Co., LTD. is a professional manufacturer and supplier of high-quality xanthan gum with strict quality control and complete grade specifications. This guide breaks down its core properties, standard grades and application scenarios to help you select the right product for your formulation.
What Is Xanthan Gum?
Xanthan gum is an extracellular biopolymer produced by aerobic fermentation of carbohydrates with Xanthomonas campestris. The fermentation broth is purified via alcohol precipitation, dried and ground into an off-white fine powder.
Chemically, it consists of a glucose backbone with branched side chains containing mannose and glucuronic acid. Its high molecular weight (1×10⁶ to 2×10⁷ Daltons) and anionic structure give it unique rheological performance unmatched by most common hydrocolloids.
Key Physical & Chemical Properties
Core Specifications
|
Property |
Standard Value |
|
Appearance |
Off-white to pale yellow free-flowing powder |
|
Solubility |
Soluble in hot & cold water; insoluble in most organic solvents |
|
Viscosity (1% solution, 1% KCl, 25℃) |
1,200 – 1,800 cP (Brookfield 60 rpm) |
|
pH (1% aqueous solution) |
6.0 – 8.0 |
|
Loss on drying |
≤ 15% |
|
Ash content |
≤ 16% (dry basis) |
|
Particle size |
80 mesh / 200 mesh |
Core Functional Features
Pseudoplastic rheology: Viscosity drops rapidly under shear and recovers instantly, enabling smooth flow during processing and stable suspension at rest.
Wide environmental stability: Retains over 80% viscosity across pH 2–12 and withstands high processing temperatures and repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Strong salt tolerance: Maintains viscosity in high-salinity environments, making it suitable for brine systems and high-salt formulations.
Synergistic thickening effect: Works synergistically with guar gum and locust bean gum to boost viscosity and gel strength at lower total dosage.
Standard Xanthan Gum Grades
All grades below are industry-standard classifications with clear regulatory and application boundaries.
1. Food Grade Xanthan Gum
Manufactured in compliance with FCC, E415 and GB 1886.41 standards, this is the most widely used grade for food and beverage production. It meets strict heavy metal and microbial limits, with pyruvic acid content ≥ 1.5%.
Main applications: Sauces, dressings, gluten-free baked goods, dairy products, plant-based beverages, frozen desserts and instant foods. Typical dosage: 0.05% – 1.0%.
2. Industrial Grade Xanthan Gum
This grade is optimized for large-volume industrial scenarios, prioritizing stable rheological performance and cost efficiency. It delivers consistent thickening and suspending effects in various water-based systems, and adapts well to complex processing conditions.
Main applications: Water-based paints & coatings, textile printing pastes, construction mortars & adhesives, agricultural suspension concentrates, daily cleaning products and ceramic glazes.
3. Pharmaceutical Grade Xanthan Gum
Produced under GMP conditions and compliant with USP/NF monograph standards, this grade has the strictest purity and bioburden controls for pharmaceutical formulation use.
Main applications: Oral suspensions, syrups, sustained-release tablet matrices, ophthalmic gels and topical preparations.
Why Choose Snowhite Chemical Co., LTD.?
Snowhite Chemical Co., LTD. focuses on the production and global distribution of specialty chemical raw materials, with xanthan gum as one of our core flagship products.
• Rigorous quality assurance: Every batch undergoes full testing for viscosity, purity and microbial indicators, and is shipped with an official Certificate of Analysis.
• Full grade coverage: We supply food, industrial and pharmaceutical grades with multiple mesh options to match your exact formulation needs.
• Flexible supply options: Standard 25kg kraft bags with PE liners; custom packaging and bulk container supply are available upon request.
• Reliable global delivery: Mature logistics networks ensure stable shipping to over 30 countries worldwide with competitive lead times.
• Professional technical support: Our in-house technical team provides grade selection guidance and formulation suggestions to help you optimize product performance and cost.
Contact Us
Contact SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO.,LTD now to get COA, free samples and the latest quotation.
Email: shirley@snowhitechem.com
Phone: +86-25-56215758
WhatsApp：+86-13776524331
