Question:
Which of the following food additive is referred to as a 'galactomannan'?
Which of the following food additive is referred to as a 'galactomannan'?
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To easily identify galactomannans in food science:
- Guar gum (mannose to galactose ratio \(\approx\) 2:1)
- Locust bean gum (mannose to galactose ratio \(\approx\) 4:1)
- Tara gum (mannose to galactose ratio \(\approx\) 3:1)
All of these are classic galactomannans used as thickeners.
- Guar gum (mannose to galactose ratio \(\approx\) 2:1)
- Locust bean gum (mannose to galactose ratio \(\approx\) 4:1)
- Tara gum (mannose to galactose ratio \(\approx\) 3:1)
All of these are classic galactomannans used as thickeners.
Updated On: Jul 23, 2026
- Locust bean gum
- Pectin
- Pullulan
- Curdlan
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Galactomannans are a class of structural polysaccharides consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side groups.
These hydrocolloids are widely used in the food and dairy industries as thickening agents, stabilizers, and water-binding agents.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the chemical structure of each of the given hydrocolloids:
- Locust bean gum (also known as Carob gum) is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua).
- Chemically, it consists of a \(\beta\)-(1,4)-linked D-mannopyranose backbone with branch points of \(\alpha\)-(1,6)-linked D-galactopyranose at an approximate mannose-to-galactose ratio of 4:1.
- Because of this repeating molecular structure, it is categorized as a galactomannan.
- Let us evaluate the other options:
- Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide primarily containing \(\alpha\)-(1,4)-linked D-galacturonic acid units.
- Pullulan is a glucan polymer consisting of maltotriose units linked by \(\alpha\)-(1,6) glycosidic bonds.
- Curdlan is a high-molecular-weight linear \(\beta\)-(1,3)-glucan produced by certain soil bacteria.
Therefore, Locust bean gum is the hydrocolloid referred to as a galactomannan.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Locust bean gum is referred to as a galactomannan.
Galactomannans are a class of structural polysaccharides consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side groups.
These hydrocolloids are widely used in the food and dairy industries as thickening agents, stabilizers, and water-binding agents.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the chemical structure of each of the given hydrocolloids:
- Locust bean gum (also known as Carob gum) is extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua).
- Chemically, it consists of a \(\beta\)-(1,4)-linked D-mannopyranose backbone with branch points of \(\alpha\)-(1,6)-linked D-galactopyranose at an approximate mannose-to-galactose ratio of 4:1.
- Because of this repeating molecular structure, it is categorized as a galactomannan.
- Let us evaluate the other options:
- Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide primarily containing \(\alpha\)-(1,4)-linked D-galacturonic acid units.
- Pullulan is a glucan polymer consisting of maltotriose units linked by \(\alpha\)-(1,6) glycosidic bonds.
- Curdlan is a high-molecular-weight linear \(\beta\)-(1,3)-glucan produced by certain soil bacteria.
Therefore, Locust bean gum is the hydrocolloid referred to as a galactomannan.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Locust bean gum is referred to as a galactomannan.
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