Acacia senegal gum

Acacia senegal gum also known as Arabic gum is an edible, dried gummy exudate from the stems and branches of the Acacia senegal tree. It is a natural arabinogalactan-protein type polysaccharide used in the cosmetic industry, pharmaceutical, and food industries. It is used as an emulsifier, flavoring agent, adjuvant, formulation aid, stabilizer, thickener, humectant, surface-finishing agent, processing aid, and texturizer. Its rich polysaccharide and glycoprotein content give this gum its soothing and lifting properties to be used in formulations. Acacia senegal gum is recognized as safe (GRAS) for direct addition to human food.

Arabic gum has a history as a preventive supplementation in Arabic folk medicine and recently attracted more attention due to its protective impact against the effects of environmental and chemical exposure to hazards. Therapeutically it is known to be effective in treating many diseases such as renal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal] and respiratory diseases, due to its agonist effect on oxidative stress and DNA damage and acts as a cytoprotective agent. Because of its high fiber content, it is also known to aid in weight loss. Besides its beneficial effect, some research groups have concluded that more data needs to be established to confirm the biological effects of Acacia senegal gum.

In Monaesi skincare products, Acacia gum is added primarily to improve formula characteristics.

References:

  1. Characterization and Functional Properties of Some Natural Acacia J. Saudi Soc. Agric. Sci. 2018.
  2. The Ameliorative Role of Acacia senegal Gum against the Oxidative Stress and Genotoxicity Induced by the Radiographic Contrast Medium (Ioxitalamate) in Albino Rats. Antioxidants 2021, 10,
  3. A gum Arabic assisted sustainable drug delivery system for adult Biol Biol Open,Jun 14;9(6), 2020.
  4. Anti-ulcerogenic activity of Gum Arabic in gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol in male albino rats. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab, Jul;45(7):731-736.
  5. Acacia gum (Gum Arabic): a nutritional fibre; metabolism and calorific value Food Addit Contam, 1998 Apr;15(3):251-64.
  6. Emulsifying properties of Acacia senegal gum: Impact of high molar mass protein-rich AGPs. Food Chemistry: X 6 (2020).
  7. Final Report of the Safety Assessment of Acacia Catechu Gum, Acacia Concinna Fruit Extract, Acacia Dealbata Leaf Extract, Acacia Dealbata Leaf Wax, Acacia Decurrens Extract, Acacia Farnesiana Extract, Acacia Farnesiana Flower Wax, Acacia Farnesiana Gum, Acacia Senegal Extract, Acacia Senegal Gum, and Acacia Senegal Gum Int J Toxicol, 2005;24 Suppl 3:75-118.