Bhabha Atomic Research Center has developed a process to produce Xanthan gum, which is used as a thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier and rheology modifier in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Xanthan, by the way, has been approved by the US FDA as a food additive.
Xanthan is a polysaccharide secreted by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, and is currently imported.
Xanthan gum has wide uses.
As mentioned earlier, it can be used in food industries for thickening, jellying, stabilizing and emulsifying. It finds application in non-food industries such as toothpastes, cosmetics, polishes, paints, adhesives, ceramics and explosives.
In the petroleum industry, it is used for ‘enhanced oil recovery’, which refers to methods used for pulling out more oil from the wells.
For further details, contact:
Head
Technology Transfer and Collaboration Division
Bhabha Atomic Research Center
Trombay, Mumbai 400 085
Email: technology@barc.gov.in
