Locust Bean Gum is a naturally derived galactomannan polysaccharide obtained from the ground endosperm of the seeds of the carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua. It is also known as Carob Bean Gum and is used as a cosmetic ingredient for viscosity control, binding, film formation, emulsion stabilization and texture modification. COSMILE Europe lists the INCI name as CERATONIA SILIQUA GUM and identifies functions including viscosity controlling, emulsion stabilising, binding, film forming and skin conditioning.
Locust Bean Gum is generally supplied as a white to yellowish-white, nearly odourless powder. It is a high-molecular-weight hydrocolloid composed mainly of galactomannan, with mannose and galactose as its principal sugar units.
Compared with Guar Gum, Locust Bean Gum has different galactomannan structure and hydration behavior. It is only partially soluble in cold water and develops useful viscosity after appropriate hydration and heating. Its performance can also be enhanced through combinations with other hydrocolloids.
Locust Bean Gum has CAS Number 9000-40-2 and EINECS/EC Number 232-541-5. JECFA describes it as the ground endosperm of Ceratonia siliqua seeds, consisting mainly of high-molecular-weight galactomannans. A molecular-weight range of approximately 50,000–3,000,000 has been reported for the material.
The principal polymer consists of a β-(1→4)-linked mannose backbone with α-(1→6)-linked galactose side groups. The mannose-to-galactose ratio is approximately 4:1, although the exact composition can vary with botanical source and processing.
Because Locust Bean Gum is a heterogeneous natural polymer, it does not have one fixed molecular weight comparable with a small-molecule cosmetic ingredient. Its functional properties are commonly evaluated through viscosity, galactomannan content, moisture, ash and other material-specific characteristics.
Locust Bean Gum functions as a viscosity-controlling, binding, film-forming and emulsion-stabilizing cosmetic ingredient. It can increase the viscosity and body of aqueous formulations while contributing to the desired consistency and texture.
Its galactomannan structure provides useful water-binding characteristics. Locust Bean Gum can also interact synergistically with other hydrocolloids, making it useful when formulators need to adjust rheology, stability or gel structure.
Unlike some highly water-soluble gums, native Locust Bean Gum generally requires appropriate hydration conditions to achieve its full functional performance. Temperature, concentration, ionic environment and combination with other polymers can influence the resulting viscosity and texture.
Locust Bean Gum can be evaluated in a variety of skin-care, hair-care and personal-care formulations.
Potential applications include creams, lotions, facial gels, moisturizing products, masks, serums, shampoos, conditioners and other aqueous or semi-solid cosmetic systems.
In skin-care formulations, it can contribute to viscosity, texture and stabilization. In hair-care products, it can provide polymeric thickening and formulation-structuring properties. It may also be combined with other hydrocolloids to achieve a specific rheological profile.
Locust Bean Gum can be formulated alongside ingredients such as Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Hydroxypropylcellulose, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose, Carrageenan and Sodium Alginate.
Locust Bean Gum should be dispersed carefully to minimize agglomeration and ensure uniform hydration. Appropriate heating can be important because native Locust Bean Gum is not fully soluble in cold water.
The galactomannan content, molecular-weight distribution and viscosity are important quality characteristics. JECFA identifies Locust Bean Gum as a high-molecular-weight galactomannan and specifies a galactomannan content of at least 75% in its food-additive specification.
The Assay (HPLC) field should not be populated with an arbitrary percentage. Locust Bean Gum is a heterogeneous polysaccharide, so a conventional small-molecule HPLC assay is not a universal quality parameter. Appropriate quality evaluation can include galactomannan content, viscosity, loss on drying, ash, protein, acid-insoluble matter, heavy metals and microbiological quality.
Formulators should also evaluate compatibility with electrolytes, surfactants, acids, bases and other hydrocolloids because these can influence hydration and viscosity.
Locust Bean Gum is a naturally derived cosmetic ingredient for manufacturers seeking hydrocolloid-based viscosity control, stabilization, binding and film-forming functionality.
For B2B sourcing, important quality considerations include botanical source, galactomannan content, molecular-weight characteristics, viscosity, moisture, ash, protein, particle size and microbiological quality.
As a Locust Bean Gum Cosmetic Ingredient Manufacturer in India, the ingredient can support bulk cosmetic raw-material requirements for skin-care, hair-care and personal-care manufacturers.
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White or colourless crystals / white powder |
| Loss on Drying | NMT 15% |
| Residue on Ignition | NMT 1.2% |