Dispersing Locust Bean Gum

The Process

Processing varies according to the grade of gum being used and the nature of the end product being manufactured, but a typical process can be summarized as follows:

• Locust bean gum is often used in combination with other hydrocolloids, typically agar, xanthan and carrageenan, especially where higher viscosities are required. For example, blends of xanthan and locust bean gum will form a gel with properties that cannot be achieved with either ingredient alone.
• The gum or blend of gums is often premixed with other dry ingredients such as sugar, or non-aqueous phase ingredients such as oil to try and avoid the formation of agglomerates whilst hydrating.
• Once ready, the premix is added to liquid where it will begin to hydrate very quickly.
• Locust bean gum is soluble in hot and cold water; heating is required to develop thickening effect fully.
• As mixing continues and the Locust Bean Gum hydrates, the viscosity of the mix will continue to rise.
• Mixing continues until the gum is fully hydrated.
• A filtration stage may be required if unhydrated gum remains in the mix.

The Solution

Using a High Shear Silverson mixer can eliminate all of these problems from your mixing process. Here’s how it works:

Stage 1

The vessel is charged with liquid and the mixer is started. The gum is added to the water as rapidly as possible. Silverson high shear mixers draws powder and liquid into the precision engineered rotor/stator workhead where they are rapidly mixed.

Stage 2

Centrifugal force drives the powder and liquid towards the periphery of the workhead, where they are subjected to intense high shear in the gap between the rotor and stator wall. The product is forced out of the stator and projected radially back into the body of the mix.

Stage 3

In a short time, all of the material will pass through the workhead several times, exposing an increasing surface area to the surrounding liquid rapidly completing the gum hydration. You’ll achieve an agglomerate-free, consistent solution time after time.

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3

• Stage 1
  

  Stage 1

  The vessel is charged with liquid and the mixer is started. The gum is added to the water as rapidly as possible. Silverson high shear mixers draws powder and liquid into the precision engineered rotor/stator workhead where they are rapidly mixed.
  

• Stage 2
  

  Stage 2

  Centrifugal force drives the powder and liquid towards the periphery of the workhead, where they are subjected to intense high shear in the gap between the rotor and stator wall. The product is forced out of the stator and projected radially back into the body of the mix.
  

• Stage 3
  

  Stage 3

  In a short time, all of the material will pass through the workhead several times, exposing an increasing surface area to the surrounding liquid rapidly completing the gum hydration. You’ll achieve an agglomerate-free, consistent solution time after time.
  

The Advantages

There are a number of advantages to using a high shear mixer in place of conventional mixing equipment:

• Maximized yield/functionality allows products to be formulated with reduced gum content, cutting raw material costs.
• Agglomerate-free mix.
• Rapid mixing times.
• Consistent product quality and repeatability.
• Premixing of gum with powders or non-aqueous phase is not required.
• Greater uniformity between batches.

There are several mixers in the Silverson product range capable of dispersing Locust Bean Gum. The batch size, viscosity of the end product and grade of gum used can all dictate which model would be most suitable.