Gum Arabic: More Than an Edible Emulsifier

MARIANA A. MONTENEGRO; LAURA BOIERO; LORENA VALLE; CLAUDIO D. BORSARELLI

Products and Applications of Biopolymers

InTech - Open Access Publisher

Lugar: info@intechweb.org; Año: 2012; p. 3 - 27

In the chapter are discussed in detail chemical, physicochemical and biological properties of Gum Arabic (GA) in order to enhance the applications of this biopolymer as an antioxidant and antimicrobial agent particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industry. The information presented is based on a thorough review of the literature and experimental data obtained by the authors. It consists of a brief introduction on the origin and main properties of GA. Subsequently a detailed description of its origin, structure, chemical composition, properties and applications. To end the chapter will present the general conclusions of the same.