Vol. 3 - Issue 1 - Februrary 5th 2003

ACACIA TREE



Photographed by William M.Ciesla,
Forest Health Management International

How is Gum Arabic Obtained?
Gum Arabic is a naturally occurring product
which is prepared from an exudate
of the stems and branches of sub-Saharan (Sahel zone)
acacia senegal and acacia seyal (Leguminosae) trees.
The tree produces large nodules during a process called
gummosis to seal wounds in the bark and this
is the product which farmers harvest.

What is the product of Gum Arabic tree variety?
The term 'Gum Senegal' is not, strictly speaking, synonymous
with Gum Acacia, though it is commonly so used.
Gum Acacia is the name originally pertaining
to Sudan, Kordofan or Egyptian (hashabi) Gum,
which possesses properties rendering it superior and always
preferred to any other known to commerce.

It is a key ingredient in a variety of soft drinks,
baking and confectionery items, dietary fibre products,
lithography, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other
industrial applications.
In many of these products, there is no suitable alternative
ingredient to the use of Gum Arabic.
Although quantities of grade one quality Gum Arabic
are found in countries such as Chad and Nigeria,
Sudan’s Gum Arabic harvest accounts for more
than 70% of the world’s supply
of this product on an annual basis
(and almost 90% of the world’s reliable supply).

This extraordinary gift from nature exceeds
all synthetic imitators in the quality of emulsions it forms.
Gum Arabic, or acacia gum,
is the resin exuded by acacia senegal trees.
The taping and harvesting of the trees
in the semi-arid regions of the Sudanare
colourful but physically demanding activities
that are vital to the economy of the country.
Several million people must be mobilized
to make the industry function effectively.

Gum Arabic is a superior emulsion former that has
no substitute among synthetic additives.
It provides excellent shelf life stability to oil-in-water
emulsions and does not mask flavours with a filmy
texture or off-flavour on the tongue.
As a product of nature, Gum Arabic
is a 95% soluble fibre calculated on a dry basis.
Its calorific value is arguably less
than half that of starches and maltodextrins.