Karaya Gum is a natural plant-derived polysaccharide gum obtained primarily from the dried exudate of Sterculia urens and related species. It is also known as Gum Karaya, Sterculia Gum and Indian Tragacanth. PubChem lists CAS Number 9000-36-6 for Karaya Gum.
The cosmetic INCI name associated with Karaya Gum is Sterculia Urens Gum. COSMILE Europe identifies its cosmetic functions as binding, emulsion stabilising, fragrance, hair fixing and viscosity controlling.
Karaya Gum is a complex, partially acetylated polysaccharide rather than a single low-molecular-weight chemical compound. It contains polysaccharide components including galactose, rhamnose and galacturonic acid. Its physical properties can vary according to botanical source, freshness, processing, particle size and storage conditions.
Karaya Gum has strong water-absorbing and swelling properties. When hydrated, it can produce viscous systems and therefore can be used to modify the consistency and rheology of suitable cosmetic formulations. PubChem reports that a 1% solution may reach approximately 3,300 cP, although the value depends on test conditions and material quality.
Karaya Gum can support the stability of suitable emulsion systems through its thickening and water-binding properties. COSMILE Europe lists emulsion stabilising as one of its recognized cosmetic functions.
Karaya Gum can help improve cohesion in powdered cosmetic systems. Its binding functionality makes it suitable for selected cosmetic products where a natural gum is required to support product structure.
The corresponding cosmetic INCI ingredient, Sterculia Urens Gum, is recognized for hair fixing. This makes it suitable for evaluation in selected styling products where durable shaping and natural polymer functionality are desired.
Karaya Gum can be considered for selected creams, lotions, gels, masks and other cosmetic formulations where viscosity modification, stabilization or binding properties are required.
Karaya Gum can be incorporated into selected hair styling and hair-care systems. Its viscosity-controlling and hair-fixing functions can contribute to formulation structure and styling performance.
Karaya Gum can be evaluated as a natural binder and viscosity modifier in selected makeup formulations, particularly where cohesion and texture control are important.
Karaya Gum is a natural polymeric material, so its properties are not represented by one universal specification. Commercial quality can vary according to botanical source, purification, particle size, freshness and storage.
Published reference data report a pH of approximately 4.5–4.7 for a 1% solution and a 1% solution viscosity of approximately 3,300 cP under specified conditions. These should be treated as reference values rather than universal specifications for every cosmetic grade.
Karaya Gum has relatively limited solubility compared with some other natural gums but absorbs water and swells to form viscous systems. Excess acid and electrolytes can reduce viscosity, and viscosity-forming ability can decrease during storage.
For cosmetic applications, the selected grade should be evaluated for appearance, moisture, ash, pH, viscosity, insoluble matter, particle size and microbiological quality.
Karaya Gum can be used in:
Karaya Gum is a natural polysaccharide gum obtained primarily from the dried exudate of Sterculia urens and related species.
The CAS number of Karaya Gum is 9000-36-6.
The cosmetic INCI name is Sterculia Urens Gum.
Sterculia Urens Gum is recognized for binding, emulsion stabilising, hair fixing and viscosity controlling functions in cosmetic products.
Yes. It is a plant-derived gum obtained from Sterculia species.
Yes. Its water-absorbing and swelling properties allow it to increase viscosity in suitable aqueous systems.
Yes. The corresponding cosmetic ingredient is recognized for hair fixing, in addition to viscosity control and binding.
Yes. Emulsion stabilising is one of the recognized cosmetic functions of Sterculia Urens Gum.
No. It is a complex, partially acetylated polysaccharide with variable composition rather than a discrete small molecule.
Important parameters can include appearance, moisture, pH, viscosity, ash, insoluble matter, particle size and microbiological quality. Exact commercial limits should be based on the selected grade's TDS and COA.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White to off-white powder |