Locust bean gum (or carob gum, LBG, E410) is a galactomannan vegetable gum extracted from the seeds of the carob tree, mostly found in the Mediterranean region. The seeds in the long pods that grow on the tree are used to make this gum. The pods are kibbled to separate the seed from the pulp. The seeds skin is removed by an acid treatment and afterwards the deskinned seed is split and gently milled. The milling causes the brittle germ to break up while not affecting the more robust endosperm. The two are separated by sieving. The separated endosperm can then be milled by a roller operation to produce the final locust bean gum powder. 

Locust bean gum can be used in many applications as a thickening and stabilizing agent. It is dispersible in hot and cold water, and once dissolved reaches full viscosity only after heating up to at least 82 degrees Celsius. There is a synergistic effect when used in combination with guar gum, and the products gels in combination with xanthan gum. Acatris has several grades of locust bean gum available, please contact our sales department to find out which grade is most suitable for your application.