| Cassia gum is a food additive made from the | | | | toxicology, pharmacology and food science was |
| endosperm of Cassia obtusifolia also known as | | | | assembled to review the safety of cassia gum as |
| Senna obtusifolia or Cassia tora. Cassia gum is a | | | | a thickening agent in pet foods in the United |
| naturally occurring polymer with mannose and | | | | States. The available data on cassia gum and |
| galactose as its repeating units. Cassia gum forms | | | | structurally related gums demonstrate a lack of |
| high viscosity by swelling in water after it is boiled. | | | | toxic effects in animals. This review is the basis |
| Cassia gum is the purified flour from the | | | | for the consideration of cassia gum as generally |
| endosperm of the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia and | | | | recognized as safe under conditions of its intended |
| Cassia tora which belong to the leguminosae | | | | use as a thickening agent in pet foods. Cassia |
| family. These seeds are generally contaminated | | | | gum or semi-refined cassia gum has been used |
| with seeds from C.occidentalis. The seeds that | | | | since the early 1990s as a thickening and gelling |
| are used in the production of cassia gum are | | | | agent in pet foods and canned meat for cats and |
| generally picked randomly from these | | | | canned meat for dogs. |
| contaminated seeds. Before the seed splitting | | | | Cassia Gum for Food Industry |
| process is started, the seeds of Cassia obtusifolia | | | | Based upon its chemical structure, cassia gum is |
| and Cassia tora are passed through grading | | | | stable during food processing and storage and it |
| machines to differentiate them on the basis of | | | | could only degrade, if at all, into sugars. The |
| their size. During this procedure, the | | | | applications include the use of cassia gum in the |
| underdeveloped seeds are removed and C. | | | | food categories below, as described in United |
| occidentalis seeds are reduced to no more than | | | | States Code of Federal Regulation 21 C.F.R. 170, |
| 0.05%. A composite sample of each fraction is | | | | at levels ranging from 2,500 mg/kg to 3,500 mg |
| given to the laboratory for inspection for the | | | | kg (0.25 % - 0.35 %). |
| presence of C. occidentalis. Cassia gum is primarily | | | | Cheeses:- Cassia gum is used in chesses including |
| the ground purified endosperm of the seeds of | | | | curd cheese, whey cheese, cream cheese, natural |
| Cassia tora and Cassia obtusifolia containing less | | | | cheese, grated cheese, processed cheese, dip |
| than 0.1% of C. occidentalis. The seeds are | | | | cheese and miscellaneous cheeses. |
| dehusked and de-germed by thermal mechanical | | | | Frozen Dairy, Desserts and Mixes:- Cassia gum |
| treatment followed by milling and screening of the | | | | is used in ice cream, ice milks, sherbets and other |
| endosperm. The ground endosperm is further | | | | frozen dairy desserts and specialties. |
| purified by extraction with isopropanol. Cassia gum | | | | Meat Products:- Cassia gum is used in all meat |
| is used as thickener, emulsifier, foam stabilizer, | | | | containing dishes including salads, appetizers, |
| moisture retention agent and texturizing agent in | | | | frozen multi course meat meals and sandwich |
| cheese, frozen dairy desserts and mixes, meat | | | | ingredients prepared by commercial processing or |
| products and poultry products. | | | | using commercially processed meats with home |
| Cassia Gum Applications | | | | preparation. |
| The cassia gum is technically used like Locust | | | | Poultry Products:- Cassia gum is used in poultry |
| Bean Gum. In the European Union it is used in | | | | products including all poultry and poultry containing |
| canned pet food additives as a gelling agent and | | | | dishes, salads, appetizers, frozen multi course |
| also in air fresheners. In Asia, e. g. in Japan it is | | | | poultry meals, and sandwich ingredients prepared |
| GRAS approved and thus can be used in food | | | | by commercial processed poultry with home |
| applications like ready to serve meals, dressings, | | | | preparation. |
| spice sauces, fruit gums, ice creams, milk | | | | Other Cassia Gum Applications |
| products, meat products etc. Like Locust Bean | | | | It is concluded that the product is stable without |
| Gum Cassia has to be cooked at approx. 80°C | | | | chemical modifications for at least 20 months. All |
| to perform full viscosity or gelling. | | | | changes in the values are within the limits of our |
| Canned Pet Food Additives as a Gelling | | | | specification. The only significant changes are |
| AgentCassia gum used in pet food industry as a | | | | observed in the LOD value. This is due to the fact |
| gelling agent and is approved for use in Europe by | | | | that the product is hydroscopic until a final |
| the Commission Directive (EEC No. E 499) and is | | | | moisture content of 8-12% is achieved. Cassia |
| listed in the Annex of the Council Directive (70 | | | | gum being as a stabilizer, thickening and gelling |
| 524/EEC) as a stabilizer, thickening and gelling | | | | agent can be used in other applications like Textile |
| agent in the manufacture of canned pet foods for | | | | Industries, Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals, Paper |
| cats and dogs. A panel of experts in the areas of | | | | Industry, Oil Drilling, Cosmetics and Personal Care. |