The Applications for Gellan Gum

The Applications for Gellan Gum

Gellan gum is a high-performance microbial polysaccharide produced by Sphingomonas elodea, valued for its exceptional gelling, stabilizing, and texturizing properties. Below is a detailed breakdown of its applications across industries, supported by technical insights and market trends (2025):

1. Food & Beverage Industry

A. Gelling Applications

Desserts (Panna cotta, vegan jellies)：Forms heat-stable, transparent gels with crisp texture.

Plant-Based Cheese: Creates melt/stretch in vegan cheeses.

Fruit Preparations: Suspends fruit pieces in yogurts/jams.

B. Stabilization & Suspension

Beverages: Suspends pulp in juices/protein drinks at ultra-low doses (0.005–0.05%).

Acid-stable (pH 3.0–8.0), ideal for kombucha/functional drinks.

Dairy Alternatives: Prevents sedimentation in plant-based milks (almond/oat).

C. Innovative Textures

Molecular Gastronomy:

Fluid Gels: Shear-thinning gels for foams/caviar (with Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺).

Synergy with Calcium Lactate: Creates heat-resistant gels for baked fillings.

2. Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical

A. Drug Delivery:

Ion-sensitive in situ gels: Eye drops (gels on contact with tear fluid).

Sustained-release tablets: Binds drugs in gastric fluid (e.g., metformin).

B. Culture Media:

Agar alternative for microbial plating (clearer colonies, lower cost).

C. Plant-Based Capsules:

Forms brittle-free vegan capsules (with carrageenan).

3. Personal Care & Cosmetics

A. Crystal-Clear Gels:

Alcohol-free sanitizers, hair gels (0.2–0.8%).

B. Emulsion Stabilizer:

Prevents separation in serums/lotions (replaces carbomers).

C. Peptide Delivery:

Enhances skin penetration in anti-aging creams.

4. Industrial & Technical Uses

A. Petri Dish Culture Media 

(replaces 10–15% of global agar demand).

B.     Plant Tissue Culture:

Oxygen-permeable gels for root growth.

C.     3D Bioprinting Bioinks:

Shear-thinning property supports cell viability.

Market Trends (2025)

A. Vegan Food Boom: 15% CAGR in plant-based applications.

B. Pharma Shift: Replacing animal-derived gelatin (30% cost reduction).

C. Clean Label Demand: Non-GMO, fermentation-based (non-animal) appeal.