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Xanthan gum is primarily used as a thickener but also known as the most efficient stabiliser for suspensions, emulsions or solid particles in water-based recipes.

Xanthan gum is highly resistance to enzymatic degradation, extremely stable over a wide temperature and pH range and in high concentrations of alcohol, making it suitable for an outstanding range of applications.

Xanthan gum consists primarily of a 1,4-linked ß-D-glucose backbone with side chains containing two mannoses and one glucuronic acid on every other glucose at the C-3 position.
Approximately half of the terminal mannose units carry a pyruvic acid residue and the non-terminal residue usually carries an acetyl group at C-6. 

These side chains represent about 60% of the molecule and give xanthan gum many of its unique properties.

GRINDSTED® Xanthan is the trade name of Danisco's xanthan gum.

	ADI (mg/kg body weight)	EU-number	US FDA reference
Xanthan	Not specified	E 415	172.695(GRAS)

Application areas

Xanthan gum is traditionally used in a wide range of applications where it acts as a thickening and stabilising agent. Typical applications in the food industry are:  

• dressing and sauces
• baked goods
• beverages
• dairy desserts 
• cream cheese and processed cheese
• fruit preparations 
• ice cream

Outside the food industry, xanthan gum is also widely used in industrial applications such as oil field drilling, agrochemicals formulations, toothpastes, cosmetics, toilet cleaners, ceramics, paints, and construction materials.

Product range

The products were sold under the brand Rhodigel® until 1 May 2005. The product names then changed to GRINDSTED® Xanthan.

Name	Particle size	Properties
GRINDSTED®Xanthan 80	80 mesh - 180 µm	Standard - Suitable in most conditions
GRINDSTED®Xanthan 200	200 mesh - 75 µm	Fast hydration, low dispersion - suitable in media with low water content, or sugar
GRINDSTED®Xanthan EASY	20 mesh - 850 µm	Good dispersion - Excellent in pre-blend with salts
GRINDSTED®Xanthan SUPRA	16 mesh - 1180 µm	Very high dispersion, slow hydration, very low dusting
GRINDSTED®Xanthan ULTRA	80 mesh - 180 µm	Fast hydration, good dispersion, low dusting - product of choice in acidic and salted media
Special GRINDSTED®Xanthan:
GRINDSTED®Xanthan SM	80 mesh - 180 µm	Suitable in brines (meat applications)
GRINDSTED®Xanthan TSC	60 mesh - 250 µm	Tolerance to Ca, Mg salts
GRINDSTED®Xanthan CLEAR 80	80 mesh - 180 µm	Transparent xanthan gums
GRINDSTED®Xanthan CLEAR 200	200 mesh - 75 µm	Do.
GRINDSTED®Xanthan CLEAR EASY	20 mesh - 850 µm	Do.
GRINDSTED®Xanthan CLEAR SUPRA	16 mesh - 1180 µm	Do.
GRINDSTED®Xanthan RB 80	80 mesh - 180 µm	Soy and cereal free xanthan gums for special requirements as regards to GMO and allergens
GRINDSTED®Xanthan RB 200	200 mesh - 75 µm	Do.
GRINDSTED®Xanthan RB EASY	20 mesh - 850 µm	Do.
GRINDSTED®Xanthan RB SUPRA	16 mesh - 1180 µm	Do.
GRINDSTED®Xanthan RB ULTRA	60 mesh - 250 µm	Do.

Legal status varies from country to country. Local food regulations should always be consulted concerning the status of this product, as legislation regarding its use in food may vary from country to country.