Xanthan gum - Viscosity and gelation

8 important questions on Xanthan gum - Viscosity and gelation

When is xanthan viscous?

Until a definite 'melting temperature' is reached.

What is the melting temperature of xanthan gum dependent on?

The ionic strength of the solution

How are shear and viscosity related in xanthan gum?

  • No shear --> the solution is very viscous and resembles a weak gel
  • Shear increased --> viscosity decreases and the solution can flow easily


Other polysaccharides like CMC or guar gum show similar viscosity in a wider range of shear rates
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At what pH is xanthan gum stable?

At at wide range of pH (3-10)

Can xanthan gum be used in alcoholic products?

Yes, it is stable in the presence of ethanol (up to certain levels). It can therefore be used as viscosity enhancer in cocktails and liquors.

What happens to the structure of xanthan gum when heated?

It shows transitional behaviour. When heated, it goes from an ordered structure of double helices (native), to a disordered structure. This decreases the viscosity. When the heated solution is cooled, the molecules regain some of its ordered conformation (renatured), but it is not the same as the native state.

By what can the transitional behaviour of xanthan gum be influenced?

  • Ionic strength + temperature. At higher ionic strength, a higher T is needed is needed to have all xanthan molecules in their disordered form.
  • Degree of substitution by acetyl and pyruvate groups

Which molecules have a synergistic interaction with xanthan gum? What happens then?

Galactomannans, such as locust bean gum or tara gum. A transparent, thermo-reversible gel is formed.

Xanthan gum + konjac glucomannan --> forms a gel after heating and cooling.

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