A Review on Properties and Applications of Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a hetero-polysaccharide formed by the strains of Xanthomonas spp. It is a naturally found polysaccharide molecule of high molecular weight maily formed by various fermentation processes. Its extraordinary rheological properties make it a very useful stabilizing agent for water-based systems. It has enormous applications ranging from the food industry to oil drilling. It is typically used in food industry in salad coverings, sauces, milk products, gravies, sweets, and low calorie foods in general. Xanthan gum is also used in making cleansers, varnishes, polishes, and in agricultural flowables. This chapter describes the extraction procedure of xanthan gum from microbes, factors affecting production, and application in different sectors.