Ingredient Information

Function

Locust Bean Gum is also known as Carob gum or Carob bean gum. It is a vegetable gum sourced from the carob tree. Locust bean gum is most often found in a white/ yellow powder form that is dispersible in hot or cold water. It is converted to a gel with the addition of sodium borate.

Locust bean gum has a flavor similar to chocolate and is often used as a sweetener or chocolate substitute. It is found in ice creams, frozen desserts, sauces, cream cheeses, dessert gels, meats, cheeses, pie fillings, baked goods, soups, breads, and cereals. It is also used in many diet foods because of its sweet flavor.

Locust bean gum adds sweetness and texture to many processed foods. It is responsible for the creamy flavor and consistency in many processed foods.

Locust bean gum is used in the food industry as a thickener, gelling agent, and texturizer.

Other Use and Industries

Locust bean gum is often found in pet foods, paper products, textiles, cosmetics, cigarettes, shoe polish, and insecticides.

Health Effects

Locust bean gum is sometimes used to increase the fiber content of certain foods. It can be used as a sweetener without adding a significant amount of calories to the food. It also is used because it is a flavorful, low-fat sweetener.

Locust bean gum is said to reduce diarrhea because it can rehydrate the body. It is sometimes used to treat diabetics, because it reduced insulin levels. Locust bean gum is deemed generally safe, and not hazardous to human health. No recommended daily limits have been imposed because it has not been deemed necessary.

Origins

Locust bean gum is a vegetable gum that is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, which is found mainly in the Mediterranean region. The gum is sourced from the long pods of the tree. The pods are separated into seed and pulp. The seeds have skins that are removed with a treatment of diatomacecus earth. Then the skinned seeds are rinsed with alcohol, and are split and milled. The germ of the seed is thus separated from the endosperm, and the endosperm is rolled to produce Locust beam gum. Its final form is a powder, but it may be converted into a gel.