Kelcogel gellan gum is a polysaccharide manufactured by microbial fermentation of the Sphingomonas elodea microorganism. Gellan gum is extremely effective at low use levels and forms solid gels at concentrations as low as 0.1%. These are prepared by adding an electrolyte (e.g., a salt, an acid or an anionic surfactant) to a hot gellan solution and then cooling. Air freshener gels based on Kelcogel are transparent, have a high melting temperature and may contain high levels of fragrance. This multi-functional gelling agent can be used alone or in combination with other products to produce a wide variety of interesting textures.

Kelcogel gellan gums are available in two types - high and low acyl content:

	Low acyl Kelcogel products form hard, non-elastic, brittle gels
	Kelcogel LT100 is high acyl and forms soft, very elastic, non-brittle gels
	Varying the ratios of the two forms of gellan gum produces a wide variety of textures

Fluid Gels

Kelcogel gellan gum can also be used as a unique suspending agent. Gels occur when hot gellan gum solutions are allowed to cool and set under quiescent conditions. However, with low concentrations of gellan gum, shearing the gel results in the formation of pourable fluid masses with very short, flowable texture. These systems, commonly known as fluid gels, can have a wide range of textures and can exist as a light pourable gel or a thick, spreadable paste.

Gellan gum fluid gels have a high low-shear viscosity, providing remarkable suspending properties at low gum concentrations. With highly pseudoplastic, or shear thinning flow properties, application of an external shear reduces the apparent viscosity significantly. Fluid gels made from gellan gum also have a true yield stress which imparts excellent suspension properties.

Potential applications include personal care, pharmaceutical and industrial suspensions.

Product Information | Molecular Structure | Selection Guide