10057. Xanthan Gum

Nomenclature

CAS number: 11138-66-2
Polysaccharide B-1459; Kelgum (CP Kelco); Keltrol (CP Kelco); Kelzan (CP Kelco); Xantural (CP Kelco).

Description and references

Mol wt >106. Polysaccharide gum produced by the bacterium Xathomonas campestris: A. Jeanes et al., J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 5, 519 (1961). Composed of d-glucosyl, d-mannosyl and d-glucosyluronic acid residues and differing proportions of O-acetyl and pyruvic acid acetal. The primary structure consists of a cellulose backbone with trisaccharide side chains, the repeating unit being a pentasaccharide. Structural studies: J. H. Sloneker et al., Can. J. Chem. 40, 2066, 2188 (1962); 42, 1261 (1964); P. E. Jansson et al., Carbohydr. Res. 45, 275 (1975); L. D. Melton et al., ibid. 46, 245 (1976). Review of structure and use in chemically enhanced oil recovery: G. Holzwarth, Dev. Ind. Microbiol. 26, 271-280 (1985); of macromolecular properties: B. T. Stokke et al. in Polysaccharides, S. Dumitriu, Ed. (Dekker, New York, 1998) pp 433-472. Review of production and industrial uses: F. Garcia-Ochoa et al., Biotechnol. Adv. 18, 549-579 (2000).

Properties

Cream-colored, odorless, free-flowing powder. Dissolves readily in water with stirring to give highly viscous solns at low concns. Forms strong films on evaporation of aq solns. Resistant to heat degradation. Aq solns are highly pseudoplastic.

Use

In foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics as stabilizer and thickening agent. For rheology control in water-based systems. In oil and gas drilling and completion fluids.