XANTHAN GUM 80 MESH FUFENG® FOOD GRADE

Product Description: Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh Thickener and Stabilizer

At Quimiconsult we offer Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh, a high-molecular-weight biopolymer produced by bacterial fermentation of Xanthomonas campestris that provides versatile, high-performance rheology control across a wide range of industrial applications. As specialized distributors of functional ingredients for the food, cleaning, agro-industrial, oil and coatings industries, we guarantee a steady supply of premium-quality xanthan gum with technical support and full traceability for every lot.

Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh is characterized by its standard particle size, with a minimum of 95% of particles passing through 80 mesh (180 microns) and 100% passing through 60 mesh (250 microns). This particle size offers an excellent balance between ease of dispersion and convenience of handling in the plant, generating less fine dust during dosing and bag-emptying operations than finer particle sizes. This makes 80 Mesh the preferred grade for high-volume industrial operations such as oil drilling fluid preparation, agricultural formulations, paint and coatings manufacturing, and food processes where robust agitation systems and adequate mixing times are available.

One of the most valued characteristics of xanthan gum is its pseudoplastic behavior, also known as shear thinning: xanthan gum solutions significantly reduce their viscosity when subjected to shear stress, such as during pumping, stirring or pouring, and recover their original viscosity when the stress stops. This unique rheological property is essential in applications where the product needs to flow easily during application but retain its structure, suspending capacity and stability at rest — from salad dressings that flow when the bottle is shaken to drilling fluids that carry rock cuttings up from the bottom of the well.

Xanthan gum is considered non-hazardous under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classification of chemicals and is suitable for use in environmentally sensitive applications. Its biodegradable nature, its regulatory status as an approved food additive (E415 in the European Union, recognized as GRAS by the FDA in the United States) and its compatibility with a wide variety of ingredients make it one of the most in-demand hydrocolloids worldwide. At Quimiconsult we offer this 80 mesh xanthan gum from the Fufeng brand, the world leader in xanthan gum production, giving our customers a product from a reliable source with consistent lot-to-lot quality.

Fufeng Group, the World's Largest Xanthan Gum Producer

The Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh we offer at Quimiconsult is manufactured by Fufeng Group, the world's leading xanthan gum producer and one of the largest manufacturers of amino acids and fermentation-based bioproducts globally. Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Shandong, China, Fufeng Group is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and operates multiple production plants with a combined capacity that makes it the largest-scale xanthan gum supplier in the world.

The value of sourcing xanthan gum from Fufeng lies in the consistency and reliability that a manufacturer of this size offers. Fufeng operates under internationally certified quality management systems, including ISO 9001, ISO 22000 (food safety), ISO 14001 (environmental management) and FSSC 22000, and holds Halal and Kosher certifications for its food grade xanthan gum lines. This quality infrastructure ensures that every lot of xanthan gum meets consistent specifications for viscosity, purity, particle size and functionality, a critical factor for formulators who depend on the reproducibility of their finished products.

Fufeng has continuously invested in fermentation and purification technology, allowing it to offer xanthan gums with rheological profiles optimized for different market segments: food grade for the food and beverage industry, industrial grade for oil drilling and mining, pharmaceutical grade for drug formulations, and cosmetic grade for personal care products. This specialization by application grade ensures the product supplied is designed for the specific demands of each industry.

By choosing Fufeng xanthan gum through Quimiconsult, our customers gain access to a world-class product with the advantage of local technical support, inventory available in Mexico, documentation in Spanish and formulation advice that complements the quality of the original manufacturer's product. Quimiconsult has built a stable business relationship with Fufeng that allows us to offer continuous availability, competitive pricing and flexible purchase volumes, from individual bags to full containers for large-scale operations.

H2: Benefits of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh as a Rheology Agent

The most notable benefit of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh is its extraordinary thickening capacity at low concentrations. While other thickeners and stabilizers require dosages of 2% to 5% to reach working viscosities, xanthan gum produces highly viscous solutions at just 0.1% to 1.0% concentration, which translates into a significantly lower effective cost per batch and better use of the storage space dedicated to raw materials. The 80 Mesh grade also offers a 1% solution viscosity of 1,400 to 1,900 cPs, a range slightly higher than that of the 200 Mesh grade (1,200 to 1,700 cPs), which can be an advantage in applications that aim to maximize viscosity per unit of product used.

Ease of handling in the plant is a distinguishing operational benefit of the 80 Mesh particle size compared with finer grades. With larger particles, 80 Mesh generates significantly less fine dust during bag opening, weighing and emptying into hoppers or mixing tanks. This reduction in airborne dust contributes to a cleaner work environment, lessens the need for heavy-duty dust extraction systems, reduces the risk of potentially combustible dust-air mixtures and minimizes staff exposure to airborne particles which, because of xanthan gum's hygroscopic properties, can cause respiratory discomfort.

Viscosity stability under temperature variations is another critical benefit for industrial processes. Xanthan gum solutions maintain their rheological properties over a wide temperature range, from refrigeration conditions to pasteurization temperatures, allowing formulators to design products that keep their texture and consistency throughout the entire production, distribution and consumption chain. This thermal stability sets xanthan gum apart from modified starches and other thickeners that irreversibly lose viscosity when subjected to thermal cycles.

Tolerance to a wide pH range greatly expands formulation possibilities. Xanthan gum remains functional in solutions from pH 1 to pH 13, making it compatible with highly acidic systems such as vinegar-based dressings, citrus juices and acid cleaners, as well as strongly alkaline formulations such as detergents, industrial cleaners and cement grouts. This versatility across pH variations is hard to find in other hydrocolloids available on the market.

Compatibility with high salt concentrations is particularly valuable for applications in the food and oil industries. While many thickeners lose functionality in the presence of electrolytes, xanthan gum maintains and can even improve its viscosity in solutions with high levels of sodium chloride, potassium chloride and divalent salts such as calcium and magnesium, making it the preferred choice for preserving brines, water-based drilling fluids and formulations prepared with very hard water.

The ability to suspend solid particles at rest, combined with ease of flow during pumping or stirring (pseudoplastic behavior), makes xanthan gum irreplaceable in applications that need particulate ingredients kept evenly distributed: spices in dressings, pigments in paints, abrasives in cleaners, active ingredients in agricultural formulations, proppants in hydraulic fracturing fluids or mineral fillers in cement grouts.

Finally, the excellent storage stability of the powdered product ensures that xanthan gum retains its functional properties for long periods when properly stored in dry conditions and protected from sunlight, allowing purchasing departments to schedule larger-volume purchases to optimize logistics costs and obtain better commercial terms without risk of product degradation.

Industrial Applications of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh

Food industry: sauces, dressings and condiments

Xanthan gum is the stabilizer and thickener of choice in formulating sauces, salad dressings, vinaigrettes, ketchup, barbecue sauce, hot sauces, mayonnaise and mustard. Its pseudoplastic behavior allows the dressing to flow easily when shaken or poured from the bottle, yet immediately recover its viscosity to keep spices, herbs and solid particles evenly suspended without settling. In emulsions such as vinaigrettes and ranch-style dressings, xanthan gum stabilizes the oil-water interface, significantly extending product shelf life and preventing the phase separation consumers perceive as a quality defect. The 80 Mesh grade is widely used in sauce production plants with mixing tanks equipped with propeller or anchor agitators that provide enough agitation to fully hydrate the gum within standard batch times.

Food industry: dairy products and ice cream

In dairy products, xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer in yogurts, creams, cream cheese spreads, dairy beverages, ice cream and frozen desserts. In ice cream and sorbets, it controls ice crystal formation during freezing and temperature cycling in the cold chain, improving the creamy texture and mouthfeel of the final product. In drinkable yogurts and flavored milks, xanthan gum keeps the mixture homogeneous and prevents syneresis (whey separation), a defect that reduces consumer acceptance. In processed and spreadable cheeses, it provides the consistency and spreadability consumers expect and helps retain moisture throughout shelf life.

Food industry: baking and gluten-free products

In gluten-free baking, xanthan gum has become an essential ingredient that replaces the functionality of gluten as a dough-structuring agent. Adding xanthan gum to gluten-free flours such as rice, almond, tapioca and corn provides the elasticity and cohesion the dough needs to retain the gas produced during fermentation, resulting in breads, cakes, cookies and tortillas with a texture close to that of their wheat flour equivalents. This application has grown exponentially, driven by global demand for gluten-free products from consumers with celiac disease and those who choose gluten-free diets, making xanthan gum a high-turnover ingredient in artisan bakeries, gluten-free product plants and premix formulators.

Food industry: beverages and juices

In the beverage industry, xanthan gum is used to stabilize juices with pulp, nectars, fruit drinks, smoothies, protein drinks and energy drinks where solid particles must be kept in suspension and a consistent texture is needed that consumers associate with quality and freshness. In plant-based beverages such as almond, oat, soy and coconut milks, xanthan gum helps stabilize the emulsion and prevent the phase separation that is particularly pronounced in these systems. The rapid growth of the plant-based beverage segment has significantly increased demand for xanthan gum as a stabilizer in these formulations.

Cleaning and detergent industry

Xanthan gum plays a key role as a rheology agent in the formulation of cleaners, degreasers, liquid detergents, bathroom cleaners, surface cleaners and gel cleaning products. Its function is to provide the viscosity needed for the product to cling to vertical surfaces for the contact time required for the cleaning agent to act, and to give the consumer or operator the perception of concentration and quality they associate with a more viscous product. In gel-type industrial cleaner formulations, xanthan gum lets the product stay in contact with the soiled surface longer than a conventional liquid cleaner, improving cleaning efficacy without increasing the concentration of active agents. 80 Mesh is a frequent choice in this industry, where the high-speed Cowles-type dispersers used in cleaner manufacturing achieve full hydration without difficulty.

Personal care and cosmetics industry

In the cosmetics and personal care industry, xanthan gum is used as a thickener, stabilizer and suspending agent in creams, lotions, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, face masks, toothpastes, hair gels and sun protection products. Its compatibility with surfactants, its stability over a wide pH range and its natural origin make it especially attractive to formulators looking for clean label or biotech-derived ingredients for natural and organic product lines. Xanthan gum provides a smooth, pleasant texture in topical products and contributes to the stability of oil-in-water emulsions, which are the basis of most moisturizing creams and body lotions.

Agricultural and agrochemical formulations

In the agricultural sector, xanthan gum is incorporated into herbicide, insecticide, fungicide and liquid fertilizer formulations as a thickening and suspending agent. Its function is to keep active ingredients evenly distributed in the spray mix and improve the product's adhesion to crop leaves, reducing runoff and increasing the efficacy of the crop protection treatment with less product applied. In controlled-release formulations, xanthan gum acts as an encapsulating agent that modulates the release rate of the active ingredient, prolonging its effect in the field. The 80 Mesh grade is the most widely used in this sector, where production volumes are large and the agitation equipment available in agrochemical formulation plants is robust enough to disperse larger particles without difficulty.

Oil industry: drilling and hydraulic fracturing fluids

One of the most important industrial applications of xanthan gum outside the food sector is its use in drilling fluids (drilling muds) for oil and natural gas exploration and production. Xanthan gum provides viscosity and the capacity to carry drill cuttings from the bottom of the well to the surface, while its pseudoplastic behavior allows the fluid to flow efficiently through circulation pumps and pipes with less pressure loss. In hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations, xanthan gum is used as a gelling agent for the carrier fluid that transports the proppant (typically sand or ceramic) into the fractures created in the rock, where the proppant holds the fractures open to allow hydrocarbons to flow. 80 Mesh is the standard particle size in the oil industry, where its compatibility with high-concentration brines, its thermal stability in high-temperature wells and its ease of handling at field locations are decisive factors in product selection.

Pharmaceutical industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, xanthan gum is used as an excipient in tablets, capsules, oral suspensions, syrups, ophthalmic gels and controlled drug release systems. Its role as a sustained-release agent in hydrophilic matrices makes it possible to control the rate at which the active ingredient is released in the gastrointestinal tract, improving bioavailability and reducing dosing frequency for the patient. In pediatric oral suspensions, xanthan gum keeps the drug evenly distributed in the vehicle, ensuring the accuracy of each dose administered. Its GRAS status and long history of safe use in food facilitate its regulatory acceptance as a pharmaceutical excipient.

Coatings, paints and polishes industry

In the paints, varnishes, coatings, polishes and inks industry, xanthan gum works as a rheology agent that controls viscosity during storage, application and drying. It prevents pigments and mineral fillers from settling in the container during prolonged storage, provides proper flow during brush, roller or spray application, and helps prevent sagging on vertical surfaces immediately after application. These rheological properties are especially valued in waterborne paints and coatings, where xanthan gum offers a flow profile superior to modified celluloses and conventional acrylic thickeners. 80 Mesh integrates easily into paint manufacturing processes that use high-speed dispersers as standard mixing equipment.

Textile industry

In textile processes, xanthan gum is used as a thickener for printing pastes, a sizing agent and a rheology modifier in dye baths. Its pseudoplastic behavior is ideal for textile printing, where the paste must flow through screen-printing meshes during application yet keep the design sharp and well defined on the fabric once deposited. The ease with which xanthan gum washes out afterwards, dissolving and rinsing away with water, is an advantage over other thickeners that require more aggressive removal processes.

Construction industry

In the construction industry, xanthan gum is incorporated into cement grouts, self-leveling mortars and tunneling fluids as a rheology agent and water-loss controller. In cement injections for soil stabilization and cavity filling, xanthan gum improves grout penetrability by reducing viscosity during pumping and provides thixotropy that prevents segregation and bleeding once the mix is placed in its final position. In horizontal directional drilling (HDD) for installing underground pipelines, xanthan gum is an essential component of the drilling fluid that stabilizes the borehole and facilitates removal of drilled material.

Xanthan Gum Grades Available at Quimiconsult

At Quimiconsult we offer two grades of xanthan gum with different particle size specifications to suit the dispersion, hydration and handling needs of each industrial process.

Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh is our standard particle size grade, with a minimum of 95% of particles passing through 80 mesh (180 microns) and 100% passing through 60 mesh (250 microns). With a 1% solution viscosity of 1,400 to 1,900 cPs, this grade offers the highest viscosity range in our portfolio. 80 Mesh is the preferred option for high-volume industrial operations with robust agitation equipment: oil drilling fluids, large-scale agricultural formulations, paint and coatings manufacturing, industrial cleaning processes, and food production lines with batch times and mixing systems that allow full hydration of larger particles. Its reduced generation of fine dust during handling contributes to a cleaner, safer work environment.

Xanthan Gum 200 Mesh is our fine particle size grade, with a minimum of 92% of particles passing through 200 mesh (75 microns) and 100% passing through 80 mesh. With a 1% solution viscosity of 1,200 to 1,700 cPs, 200 Mesh is the preferred option for applications that require ultra-fast, lump-free dispersion: automated food and beverage production lines with short mixing times, pharmaceutical formulations where dispersion uniformity is critical, injection dosing systems where coarse particles could cause blockages, and any application where the formulator needs to reach the target viscosity in the shortest possible mixing time.

Both grades are manufactured by Fufeng Group, share the same fermentation origin and chemical base (100% xanthan gum, CAS 11138-66-2), and offer the same fundamental properties of pseudoplasticity, thermal stability, pH and salinity tolerance, and suspending capacity. The difference lies solely in particle size and, as a result, in hydration speed and handling conditions in the plant. Our technical team can advise on selecting the most appropriate particle size for the specific conditions of each production process, the agitation equipment available and the required cycle times.

Directions for Use and Dosage Recommendations for Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh

For best results with Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh, it is recommended to disperse the powder gradually into the water or aqueous medium under vigorous agitation, preferably using a high-speed agitator, a Cowles-type disperser or a high-shear mixer. Dispersing under intense agitation is key to preventing lumps or agglomerates (known as "fish eyes"), which form when xanthan gum particles hydrate rapidly on their outer surface, creating a gelled layer that keeps water from penetrating to the center of the particle. Although 80 Mesh, with its larger particle size, hydrates slightly more slowly than 200 Mesh, this can be an advantage in certain processes: it gives the operator more time to disperse the particles before their surfaces gel, paradoxically reducing lump formation when available agitation is moderate.

An effective technique to make dispersion easier is to pre-blend the xanthan gum with other dry ingredients in the formulation, such as sugar, salt, flour or other powders, before adding the dry mix to the aqueous medium. This dry pre-dispersion separates the xanthan gum particles and keeps them from clumping when they come into contact with water. Another technique widely used in the paints and coatings industry is to disperse the xanthan gum in a non-aqueous medium such as vegetable oil, mineral oil or propylene glycol before adding it to the aqueous system, which also prevents lump formation and is particularly useful when working with moderate-speed agitation equipment.

Typical use concentrations vary by application: for light thickening in beverages and juices, concentrations of 0.05% to 0.2% are usually sufficient. For dressings, sauces and medium-viscosity products, concentrations of 0.2% to 0.5% are used. For gels, gel cleaning products and applications requiring high viscosity and suspending capacity, concentrations can range from 0.5% to 1.5%. In oil drilling fluids, typical concentrations range from 0.3% to 0.7% depending on well conditions, depth, bottom-hole temperature and cuttings-carrying requirements. In agricultural formulations, typical concentrations range from 0.1% to 0.5% depending on the type of formulation (suspension concentrate, emulsion, flowable) and the density of the active ingredients to be suspended.

It is important to keep in mind that the final viscosity of a xanthan gum solution depends not only on concentration but also on agitation speed during preparation, water temperature, the presence of electrolytes (which can increase viscosity) and system pH. Small-scale laboratory trials are recommended to determine the optimal concentration before scaling up to industrial production.

Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh is compatible with most ingredients commonly used in food, agricultural, oil and industrial formulations, including sugars, salts, organic acids, surfactants, preservatives, pigments, mineral fillers and other hydrocolloids such as guar gum, locust bean gum, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and alginates. Combining it with guar gum produces a synergistic effect that increases viscosity beyond what either gum would achieve alone, a synergy exploited in drilling fluids and food formulations to optimize costs. Combining it with locust bean gum produces thermoreversible elastic gels, an interaction used in formulating vegan cheeses, desserts, fillings and applications that require controlled gelling.

Physicochemical Properties of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh

Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh comes as a white to slightly yellow powder with a 1% solution pH of 6.0 to 8.0, indicating a practically neutral character that makes it compatible with both acidic and alkaline formulations without pH adjustment. The viscosity of a 1% solution is in the range of 1,400 to 1,900 cPs (centipoise), the highest viscosity range among the xanthan gum grades offered by Quimiconsult, demonstrating this product's superior thickening efficiency.

The product's particle size ensures that 100% of particles pass through 60 mesh (250 microns) and a minimum of 95% pass through 80 mesh (180 microns), providing a particle size distribution that supports clean handling in the plant with reduced dust generation, while ensuring complete dispersion within standard mixing times for most industrial processes.

The product is soluble in cold and hot water, forming viscous, pseudoplastic solutions with excellent stability against variations in temperature, pH (1-13), salinity and the presence of other ingredients. The composition is 100% xanthan gum (CAS 11138-66-2), with no additives, fillers or blends with other hydrocolloids, giving the formulator full control over formulation proportions and ensuring the reproducibility of every batch.

Safety and Classification of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh

Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh is classified as non-hazardous under the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), in accordance with NOM-018-STPS-2015. It requires no signal word or hazard pictograms, reflecting its favorable safety profile and long history of safe use as an additive in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and various industrial applications.

The NFPA rating is 0 for health hazard, 1 for flammability and 0 for reactivity. The slight flammability (level 1) refers to the fact that, like any fine organic powder, xanthan gum can form dust-air mixtures that are potentially combustible at sufficient concentrations in confined spaces. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid generating dust clouds during handling and to keep the product away from ignition sources such as open flames, boilers and other heat sources. Compared with 200 Mesh, 80 Mesh carries an inherently lower risk of dense dust cloud formation because of its larger particle size.

Acute oral toxicity is extremely low, with an LD50 in rats greater than 5,000 mg/kg, confirming its safety as a food ingredient. No mutagenic, carcinogenic or reproductive toxicity effects are known to be associated with xanthan gum. The product is not classified as hazardous to the environment and requires no special regulation for transport (not UN regulated), storage or disposal.

Regarding health effects during industrial handling, xanthan gum's hygroscopic properties can cause the dust to form a paste or gel on contact with the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, so it is recommended to avoid excessive dust inhalation and use dust respiratory protection (P1) when handling significant quantities. Prolonged contact with the dry powder can cause skin dryness. In case of eye contact, rinse with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes.

Storage and Handling of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh

Proper storage of Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh is essential to preserve its rheological and functional properties throughout its shelf life. The product should be stored in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place, protected from direct sunlight and ambient humidity. Moisture is the main factor that can affect product quality, since the hygroscopic nature of xanthan gum causes it to absorb water from the environment, which can lead to powder caking, changes in the flowability of the dry material, dosing difficulties and eventually microbial growth if the absorbed moisture is enough to support microbial activity.

The container should be kept tightly closed when product is not being dispensed. With bags or bulk bags (big bags), reseal properly after each use or transfer the remainder to airtight containers. In environments with high relative humidity, as is common in several regions of Mexico during the rainy season, consider storing in humidity-controlled areas or using desiccants in the storage area to protect the product.

The product should be stored away from strong oxidizing agents, which are the only materials identified as incompatible. No special temperature conditions are required beyond avoiding excessive heat and direct sun exposure. The product requires no special regulation for land, sea or air transport.

During handling, avoid dust cloud formation by using adequate ventilation systems in dosing and mixing areas. Although 80 Mesh generates less dust than finer grades, it is still recommended to wear personal protective equipment, including splash-proof safety goggles, protective gloves, work clothing and safety shoes. In the event of large dust releases, use self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

In case of a spill, collect the product with a shovel and place it in a suitable container. Sweep or vacuum while avoiding dust dispersion. It may be necessary to dampen the material slightly to make collection easier and reduce dust generation, but keep in mind that wet product becomes extremely slippery as it forms a viscous gel on contact with water, posing a slip-and-fall risk for staff moving through the spill area.

Other Names and Synonyms for Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh

Xanthan Gum 80 Mesh may also be identified as xanthan gum, xanthan, goma xantana, goma de xantano, goma xantan or xantana, terms used interchangeably in industrial, academic and commercial settings to refer to this biopolymer. These names appear frequently in technical data sheets, purchase specifications, formulations and technical literature across various industries.

In the food industry, the product is also known by its food additive number E415 (European nomenclature) or by its INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) name Xanthan Gum, the standard name used on cosmetic and personal care product labels worldwide. In regulatory documentation, safety data sheets and certificates of analysis, it is identified by its CAS number 11138-66-2.

Within the broader category of industrial hydrocolloids, xanthan gum belongs to the family of microbial polysaccharides produced by bacterial fermentation, unlike other hydrocolloids of plant origin such as guar gum, gum arabic, alginates and carrageenan, or of animal origin such as gelatin. This classification by origin is increasingly relevant for formulators looking for vegan, halal, kosher or non-animal ingredients for their finished products, since xanthan gum meets all of these criteria.

Likewise, in industrial purchasing and procurement it is common to see searches such as xanthan gum price, industrial xanthan gum, xanthan gum 80 mesh, food grade xanthan gum, oil drilling grade xanthan gum, Fufeng xanthan gum, industrial sauce thickener, paint thickener, xanthan gum for drilling, xanthan gum for drilling fluids, xanthan for cosmetics, xanthan gum for cleaners, xanthan gum Mexico, bulk xanthan gum, xanthan gum supplier Mexico or xanthan gum distributor (goma xantana precio, goma xantana malla 80, goma de xantano México). These variations reflect the different industries and applications where this hydrocolloid is in demand, and help purchasing, research and development, and formulation managers find qualified suppliers in the market for functional ingredients and industrial hydrocolloids.

The term "rheology agent" that accompanies the product description refers to xanthan gum's main function as a modifier of the flow properties of liquids and semi-solids. Other functional terms used to describe its capabilities include: thickener, stabilizer, suspending agent, viscosifier, texture modifier, gelling agent (in combination with other hydrocolloids), water-retention agent, viscosity controller and anti-settling agent.