Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Xanthan gum is a popular extracellular microbial polysaccharide used widely as a food additive to modify texture and fluid rheology.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Statement (I): Xanthan gum is produced industrially by fermenting simple sugars (like D-glucose, sucrose, or lactose) using the plant-pathogenic bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. Thus, Statement (I) is correct.
- Statement (II): In food technology, xanthan gum acts as an outstanding stabilizer, thickener, emulsifier, and suspending agent. It provides high viscosity even at low concentrations, exhibits pseudoplastic (shear-thinning) flow behavior, and enhances foam and volume. Thus, Statement (II) is correct.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Both Statement (I) and Statement (II) are correct, representing Option A.