गोंद / बबूल गोंद (Gum acacia (gum arabic))

Gum acacia, better known as gum arabic, is a natural gum collected from the hardened sap of acacia trees, mainly Senegalia senegal and Vachellia seyal. In India the related tree gum is sold as babool gond. Chemically it is a mix of complex sugars (polysaccharides) and a small amount of protein, which is why it both thickens and helps keep oils mixed in water.

• CAS number: 9000-01-5
• Appearance: off-white to pale yellow powder
• Solubility: dissolves well in cold or warm water, up to about 50% by weight; it does not dissolve in alcohol or oil
• Food additive number: E414 (food grade only)

Unlike guar gum or carbomer, it makes fairly thin solutions even at high strength, so it is used more as a binder and film-former than as a heavy thickener.

Azlok lists gum acacia powder in its cosmetic raw ingredients range. Powder dissolves much faster than the lumps or tears sold in markets, which saves soaking time. The pack size is shown on the product page.

The pack is not labelled food grade, so don't use it in sweets or drinks. Check today's price per kg.

Art and craft

• Binder in watercolour paints and gouache, and in homemade inks
• Gum water for paper craft, envelopes, stamps and labels
• Traditional use in lithographic printing

Cosmetics

• Binder and film-former in face masks, pressed powders and some hair products
• Helping hold oils in suspension in water-based products

Food and pharma (food or pharma grade only)

• Stabiliser in soft drink concentrates, coatings on sweets, and binder in tablets

Industry

• Textile printing thickener, ceramic glazes, and match head binder

Gum water (binder or glue). A common recipe is 1 part gum acacia powder to 2 parts warm water by weight, for example 50 g powder in 100 ml water. Sprinkle the powder slowly into the water while stirring, so it doesn't form lumps. Leave it covered for a few hours or overnight to fully dissolve, then strain through a fine cloth.

Watercolour paint. Mix the gum water with pigment, roughly equal volumes as a start, and grind it on a glass slab. Add a few drops of glycerine or honey to stop the paint cracking when dry.

Cosmetic binder. In masks and powders it is typically used at a few percent of the formula. Disperse it into glycerine first, then add water, which stops lumps. Patch test the finished product.

Gum solutions spoil in a few days at room temperature. Make small amounts, keep them in the fridge, or add a cosmetic preservative if you need it to last.

• Gum acacia is low hazard, but the fine powder can irritate the eyes and nose. Avoid making a dust cloud when pouring.
• Some people are sensitive to gum arabic dust; wear a simple dust mask if you handle large amounts.
• Store the powder in a closed container in a cool, dry place. It absorbs moisture and forms hard lumps if left open.
• Keep prepared solutions covered and use within a few days, or refrigerate.
• Keep away from children and away from kitchen stores, since this pack is not food grade.
• Small amounts of solution can be diluted with water and poured down the drain.

For painting, craft and occasional cosmetic batches, a small pack is plenty, as gum water stretches a long way. Workshops making masks, watercolours or inks regularly can buy larger packs; the dry powder keeps well if sealed.

If you need gum arabic for food, a food-grade product with FSSAI labelling is the right choice, used within FSSAI limits. Finished cosmetics sold in India also need to meet BIS and CDSCO requirements. For 25 kg and more, use the bulk inquiry form.