Acacia
Overview
Gum Acacia or more commonly referred to as Gum Arabic is a plant-derived fiber. It is simpler to think of it as being an edible “glue” and natural thickening agent and binder that assists in holding ingredients together.
Being water soluble makes it easy to use it in different applications. Its gluten-free and usually non-GMO properties make it a well-tolerated ingredient when used in small quantities.
Process
The bark of the branches is meticulously tapped by harvesters, producing a pale white orange fluid – Gum Arabic. This flows out naturally in the form of thick frothy spherical lumps and speedily solidifies under the sun and air exposure. Our factories oversee the sorting, cleaning, kibbling and storing of the gum, in addition to running QC laboratory, application and functional tests. They also dispose of a mechanical powdering line.
Sources
Biosylx has two ISO22000 certified affiliated factories set up in the heart of the Gum Belt.
The first is located in the city of El Obeid, a province in the North of Kordofan. This region is considered to be the heart of the Gum Belt where Gum Arabic is grown and collected.
The second factory is located close to the capital Khartoum. We also have established facilities and partnerships in other countries within the Gum Belt.
Grades
We carry the following grades, but other grades are available on request:
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Biogum HPS: Handpicked Cleaned Lumps (Hashab – Acacia senegal) |
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Biogum HC: Cleaned & Sifted Kordofan Type (Hashab – Acacia senegal) |
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Biogum H08: Kibbled & Sifted Kordofan Type (Hashab – Acacia senegal) |
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Biogum HP: Mechanical Powder < 250μm (Hashab – Acacia senegal) |
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Biogum TC: Cleaned (Talha – Acacia seyal) |
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Biogum TP: Mechanical Powder < 250μm (Talha – Acacia seyal) |
No grade is particularly better than the other, but rather, better suited to its functionality. All grades have full traceability.
Ventures
Most recently, Biosylx has ventured into South Sudan, where we now have a central warehouse in Juba. There, we are able to collect Gum Acacia from various producing areas, starting from the Upper Nile region, and extending west, all the way to Northern and Western Bahr Al Ghazal.
Uses
Confectionery
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Acts as a vegetal texturizing and coating agent in gum drops or medication confectionery, boiled candies or pastilles. |
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Improves textures, brings thickness and acts as an anti-crystallisation agent. |
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In association with polyols, acacia gum is extremely efficient as a sugar-free coating and emulsifying agent. |
Wine
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Gum Acacia as a polysaccharide and a resin-like substance stabilises colour, helps reduce astringency, softens tannins and gives a rounder mouthfeel. |
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It lowers the risk of the formation of potassium bi-tartrate crystals, helps with the microbiological stability of wine, and prevents the formation of the colloidal complexes of metals from occurring. |
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Can be used to improve the perlage of sparkling wines. |
Flavour Encapsulation & Emulsions
One of its uses is to create a natural envelope for flavour encapsulation, adapted to encapsulate liposoluble substances. It also contributes to the stabilizing of water-based oil emulsions. These functionalities enable many food formulations to benefit from its film forming and protective carrier effects.
Dietary Supplement
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Gum Acacia as a prebiotic fibre boosts gut populations of specific non-digestible bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli bacteria). |
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Note: Prebiotics are defined as substances that provide a beneficial physiological effect on the host by selectively stimulating the favourable growth or activity of a limited number of indigenous bacteria, benefits which are reported to include improving bone health, reducing the risk of colorectal cancer, boosting immunity, enhancing satiety and aiding weight management. |
