Locust bean gum E410 (LBG, also known as carob gum, carob bean gum, carobin, E410) is a thickening agent and a gelling agent used in food. Though it’s considered safe, some are convinced it has potentially dangerous health effects.
What Is Locust bean gum E410?
Locust Bean Gum E410 is a heat-shock resistant, water-binding, thickening and stabilizing agent. It is used in speeding the coagulation of cheese curds, and slows and thickens the melting of ice cream. When used with cake and biscuit dough, Locust Bean gives a higher yield with a considerable reduction in the amount of eggs necessary. Also, the cakes are softer, have a longer shelf life, firmer texture, can be easily removed from the pans and can be cut or sliced more easily. About 1-2% Locust Bean Gum E410 is used in fruit pie fillings to yield a clearer, more fruit-like filling, which is more palatable and does not mask the flavor. Locust Bean Gum E410, in combination with other hydrocolloids, stabilizes a variety of prepared foods as instant dry sauces and soups, frozen concentrated soups and frozen butter and cheese sauces for vegetable and fish dishes. This gum also stabilizes and thickens mayonnaise, tomato catsup, and natural as well as imitation whipped cream.
Possible Side Effects of Locust bean gum E410
Although Locust bean gum E410 generally regarded as a very safe and effective supplement, there can be some minor side effects. The side effects may: Allergy, Diabetes, Diarrhea, Mononucleosis, IBS, Bloating, Depression, Hives, Weight Gain, Migraines
GRAS Affirmation: Yes
Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) is an American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) designation that a chemical or substance added to food is considered safe by experts, and so is exempted from the usual Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) food additive tolerance requirements. Locust bean gum is considered safe.
Suggested Dosage
NA.
Special Populations Precaution
There is a lot of concern about diet and nutrition for these population, like Newborns, children, pregnant, sensitive to Locust bean gum populations. Better consult to your doctor if you would like to intake Locust bean gum.
Related Research
1. Locust bean gum safety in neonates and young infants: An integrated review of the toxicological database and clinical evidence. [Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2014 Jul] Author: Meunier L, Garthoff JA, Schaafsma A, Krul L, Schrijver J, van Goudoever JB, Speijers G, Vandenplas Y.
2. Determination of locust bean gum and guar gum by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. [J AOAC Int. 2001 Jan-Feb] Author: Meyer K, Rosa C, Hischenhuber C, Meyer R.
3. Investigation on rectal absorption of indomethacin from sustained-release hydrogel suppositories prepared with water-soluble dietary fibers, xanthan gum and locust bean gum. [Biol Pharm Bull. 1993 Apr] Author: Watanabe K, Yakou S, Takayama K, Machida Y, Isowa K, Nagai T.