Beverages
Acacia gum (Acacia senegal) is widely used as the preferred emulsifier for citrus oil containing flavor emulsions. The ability of the gum to stabilize foam is still used in the manufacture of beer and soft drinks. Acacia gum is also used to clarify wine and fix tannins.
Flavor/Fragrance
Acacia gum (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal) are used extensively in the production of spray dried flavors and fragrances. They are used to stabilize emulsions and when subsequently spray dried, the gum prevents evaporation and oxidative deterioration of the flavor/ fragrance oils or absorption of water from the air.
Bakery
Acacia (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal) are widely used in the baking industry for their low water absorption properties. The gums are cold water-soluble and have impressive adhesive properties for use in glazes and toppings.
Pharmaceuticals
Acacia gum (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal) has widespread usage as a suspending agent, emulsifier, adhesive and binder in tabletting and in demulcent syrups.
Cosmetics
Among their many uses, Acacia gum (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal) function as stabilizers in lotions and screens. They increase viscosity, impart spreading properties, and give a protective coating and smooth feel.
Dietary Fiber
This is a major use for Acacia gum (Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal – particularly seyal). A concentrated source of soluble dietary fiber – exceeds 85% on a dry basis. Acacia gum has widespread application in diet or meal-replacer drinks because of their low viscosity, bland flavor and high fiber content.
Industrial Applications
Acacia gum is a key ingredient in the micro-encapsulation process in the production of carbonless paper. In textiles it is found in waterproof emulsions and sizings. Acacia gum works as a binder for color pigments in crayons. The list of uses goes on — ink and pigment manufacture, ceramics, liquid insecticides, polishes, paints, etc.
Lithography
Acacia gum is used in the preparation of etching and plating solutions in the lithography industry. The gum functions as a sensitizer for plates, as an ingredient in fountain solutions, plate washes and protective coatings for the plates in storage.
Sauces & Dressings
Acacia gum is used in combination with other gums, including Tragacanth, to enhance oil/water emulsion stability.
Confections
Perhaps second only to its uses in the flavor and beverage industries, Acacia gum (Acacia senegal and to an ever growing degree Acacia seyal) has found widespread use in the confectionery industry. Primarily used to retard sugar crystallization and emulsify fat, the gum is used in a wide variety of confections. In high sugar pieces, the gum has been used in concentrations from 10 – 45%. Typically, the gum is dissolved in water, mixed with sugar, concentrated and finally, flavor is added.
As an emulsifier, Acacia gum functions in keeping fat distributed uniformly throughout the piece and preventing the fat from migrating to the surface. This property makes Acacia gum useful in caramel and toffee confections. Acacia gum (both Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal) are also used as a glaze and as a component in various chewing gums (thickener and contributes a softer chew), cough drops and lozenges.