Name: Ceratonia
CAS No: Carob gum [9000-40-2]
None Adopted
Algaroba; carob bean gum; carob flour; ceratonia gum; ceratonia siliqua; ceratonia siliqua gum; Cheshire gum; E410; gomme de caroube; locust bean gum; Meyprofleur; St. John’s bread.
Carob gum [9000-40-2]
Ceratonia is a naturally occurring plant material that consists chiefly of a high molecular weight hydrocolloidal polysaccharide, composed of D-galactose and D-mannose units combined through glycosidic linkages, which may be described chemically as galactomannan. The molecular weight is approximately 310 000
See Section 4.
Ceratonia is a naturally occurring material generally used as a substitute for tragacanth or other similar gums. A ceratonia mucilage that is slightly more viscous than tragacanth mucilage may be prepared by boiling 1.0–1.5% of powdered ceratonia with water. As a viscosity-increasing agent, ceratonia is said to be five times as effective as starch and twice as effective as tragacanth. Ceratonia has also been used as a tablet binder(1) and is used in oral controlled-release drug delivery systems approved in Europe and the USA. Ceratonia is widely used as a binder, thickening agent, and stabilizing agent in the cosmetics and food industry. In foods, 0.15–0.75% is used. Therapeutically, ceratonia mucilage is used orally in adults and children to regulate intestinal function
Ceratonia occurs as a yellow-green or white colored powder. Although odorless and tasteless in the dry powder form, ceratonia acquires a leguminous taste when boiled in water.
See Section 18.
Acidity/alkalinity pH = 5.3 (1% w/v aqueous solution) NIR spectra see Figure 1. Solubility Ceratonia is dispersible in hot water, forming a sol having a pH 5.4–7.0 that may be converted to a gel by the addition of small amounts of sodium borate. In cold water, ceratonia hydrates very slowly and incompletely. Ceratonia is practically insoluble in ethanol. Viscosity (dynamic) 1200–2500 mPa s (1200–2500 cP) for a 1% w/v aqueous dispersion at 258C. Viscosity is unaffected by pH within the range pH 3–11. Viscosity is increased by heating: if heated to 958C then cooled, practically clear solutions may be obtained that are more viscous than prior to heating
The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed container in a cool, dry place. Ceratonia loses not more than 15% of its weight on drying.
The viscosity of xanthan gum solutions is increased in the presence of ceratonia.(2) This interaction is used synergistically in controlledrelease drug delivery systems
Ceratonia is a naturally occurring material obtained from the ground endosperms separated from the seeds of the locust bean tree, Ceratonia siliqua (Leguminosae). The tree is indigenous to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Ceratonia is generally regarded as an essentially noncarcinogenic,(3) nontoxic and nonirritant material. Therapeutically, it has been used in oral formulations for the control of vomiting and diarrhea in adults and children; 20–40 g daily in adults has been used dispersed in liquid.(4) As an excipient, ceratonia is used in oral controlledrelease formulations approved in Europe and the USA. Ceratonia is also widely used in food products. The WHO has not specified an acceptable total daily intake for ceratonia as the total daily intake arising from its use at the levels necessary to achieve the desired effect, and from its acceptable background in food, was not considered to represent a hazard to health.(5) Ceratonia hypersensitivity has been reported, in a single case report, in an infant.(6) However, ceratonia is said to be nonallergenic in children with known allergy to peanuts.(7) LD50 (hamster, oral): 10.0 g/kg(8) LD50 (mouse, oral): 13.0 g/kg LD50 (rabbit, oral): 9.1 g/kg LD50 (rat, oral): 13.0 g/kg
Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. When heated to decomposition ceratonia emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
GRAS listed. Accepted for use in Europe as a food additive. In Europe and the USA, ceratonia has been used in oral tablet formulations.
Acacia; ceratonia extract; tragacanth; xanthan gum. Ceratonia extract Synonyms Ceratonia siliqua extract; extract of carob; locust tree extract. CAS number [84961-45-5] Comments Ceratonia extract is used as an emollient. The EINECS number for ceratonia extract is 284-634-5.
The EINECS number for ceratonia is 232-541-5. Although not included in any pharmacopeias, a specification for ceratonia is contained in the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC); see Table I.(9)