What Are Gums & Systems?
Gums, also known as hydrocolloids, are a crucial component in the formulation of various food and beverage products. These are polysaccharide molecules that have a high molecular weight and consist of multiple monosaccharide units. Due to their unique properties in water, gums are used for structuring and binding water in food products. They play a vital role in influencing the texture, mouthfeel, and stability of food, offering innovative textural solutions. Systems, on the other hand, are blends of multiple gums and other components designed to optimize the performance of food products in specific applications.
This page will explore the various offerings in this category, their applications, and the benefits they provide.
Our Gums & Systems Offerings
The Gums & Systems category includes a variety of products such as Carrageenan, Citrus Fiber, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Locust Bean Gum, Pectin, and stabilizer blends.
IFF Offerings
- Carrageenan
- Guar Gum
- Xanthan Gum
- Locust Bean Gum
- Pectin
- Stabilizer Blends
Ingredion Offering
- Citrus Fiber
Applications for Gums & Systems
Gums and Systems are highly versatile ingredients used across a wide range of food and beverage applications due to their unique textural and stabilizing properties.
Bakery
In bakery products, Gums & Systems like Guar Gum and Xanthan Gum are used to improve the texture and moisture retention of baked goods, enhance dough elasticity, and provide freeze-thaw stability. These ingredients help maintain product quality over an extended shelf life, making them ideal for gluten-free and reduced-fat baked goods.
Dairy and Dairy Alternatives
Carrageenan and Pectin are popular choices in dairy and dairy alternative applications. They are used to enhance mouthfeel, stabilize emulsions, and prevent syneresis in products such as yogurt, cream cheese, and plant-based milks. Their ability to maintain texture and stability under varying pH levels and temperatures makes them valuable in these products.
Beverages
Gums such as xanthan gum and pectin are used in beverages to provide suspension, improve mouthfeel and stabilize emulsions. They help to achieve the desired thickness without compromising the clarity or taste of the beverage. This makes them suitable for applications ranging from fruit juices to plant-based beverages.
Confectionery
For confectionery applications, Pectin and Carrageenan are commonly used to provide gelation and create a chewy texture. These gums allow for precise control over the texture and stability of products like gummy candies, fillings, and fruit jellies.
Frozen Foods
In frozen foods, gums such as locust bean gum and stabilizer blends are used to prevent the formation of ice crystals and improve freeze-thaw stability. These ingredients help to maintain the creamy texture and mouthfeel of ice cream, frozen desserts and other frozen products.
Benefits of Gums & Systems
Gums & Systems offer numerous benefits for various food and beverage applications. They improve the texture, mouthfeel and stability of products and provide the consistency and quality that consumers expect. The ability of these ingredients to bind water and stabilize emulsions makes them essential to prevent segregation and maintain product integrity over time.
In addition, Gums & Systems enable textural innovations that provide food manufacturers with new sensory experiences. Due to their versatility, they can be used in low dosages, which can reduce formulation costs while maintaining the desired product properties. For health-conscious consumers, many gums offer functional benefits such as fiber enrichment and reduced fat content.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan is a hydrocolloid extracted from red algae, known for its ability to add body, mouthfeel, and viscosity to various food products. It is particularly effective in dairy and dairy alternatives, where it helps stabilize chocolate milk and plant-based milks by holding ingredients in suspension. Additionally, Carrageenan is used in meat and meat alternatives to help products stay intact when slicing, such as in sausages.
Guar Gum
Guar gum, derived from the endosperm of the guar plant, is a powerful thickening agent known for its ability to build texture and control viscosity. It is eight times stronger than cornstarch and is used in a variety of applications such as baked goods, beverages, dairy products and sauces. Guar gum also works synergistically with other gums such as locust bean gum and xanthan gum, which increases its functionality in food systems.
Xanthan Gum
Xanthan Gum is a highly versatile gum produced through fermentation. It is a strong thickener and stabilizer that works at low concentrations, making it suitable for almost any food application. Xanthan Gum is particularly valued for its stability across a wide range of pH levels and temperatures and is resistant to degradation, making it ideal for beverages, sauces, and frozen desserts.
Locust Bean Gum
Locust Bean Gum, also known as Carob Bean Gum, is derived from the seeds of the carob tree. It offers a creamy texture and mouthfeel, freeze-thaw stability, and helps prevent syneresis. This gum is perfect for dairy applications like yogurt and cream cheese, as well as dips, dressings, and sauces.
Pectin
Pectin is extracted from the peel of citrus fruits and offers excellent gelling, viscosity and texture properties. It is particularly effective in beverages, confectionery, dairy products and fruit spreads, as it requires heat to activate its gelling properties.
Stabilizer Blends
Stabilizer blends combine gums, emulsifiers and other ingredients to provide thickening, stabilization and emulsification. These blends are tailored to specific applications and ensure optimal texture, suspension and mouthfeel in beverages, culinary products and dairy alternatives.
Citrus Fiber/Pulp/Flour
Made from citrus, this ingredient is a coarse to fine powder with high water-holding capacity and emulsification properties. It is used in bakery, gluten-free bakery, beverages, culinary, dairy, frozen foods, meat, and plant-based alternatives to improve texture, yield, and stability.
Partner With Gillco for Your Gums & Systems Needs
Gillco is a leading supplier of high-quality Gums & Systems, offering a wide range of hydrocolloids to meet the diverse needs of food manufacturers. With a commitment to quality and innovation, Gillco provides ingredients that enhance product texture, stability, and mouthfeel while also enabling cost-effective formulations. Partnering with Gillco means accessing expert support, reliable supply chains, and a range of versatile ingredients that help create superior food products.
Choose Gillco for your Gums & Systems needs and experience the difference that premium ingredients can make in your product formulations.
For more information about Gums & Systems or to request a sample, contact Gillco today.