Arabic Gum is a complex mixture of polysaccharides and glycoprotein that is used primarily in the food industry as a stabilizer. It is edible and is a key ingredient in traditional lithogra, used in:
- PrintingSudan is still the greatest producer of gum Arabic in the world, obviously more than 70% (Wikipedia) of the grade 1 gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal –known in Sudan as Hashab) & grade 2 (Acacia Seyal-known in Sudan as Talha) comes from Sudan, which is the real best quality definitely.Printing.
- Paint production.
- Glue.
- Food (sweets, chocolates,….etc.)
- Soft drinks (Coca-Cola, Pepsi)
- Medical industry (Capsules shells)
- Cosmetics and various industrial applications, such as viscosity control in inks and textile industries, and more a lot where this is not the place to give the details of uses.
| COMPARISON OF GUM PRODUCING AREA (SUDAN / OTHER COUNTRIES) |
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| SUDAN | OTHER COUNTRIES | | 1. Uniform stands of monoculture of the right speciesin large tracks. | 1. Mixed species in patches. | | 2. Well-experienced producers, tappers, collectors, cleaners and graders. | 2. Lack of experience in all fields. | | 3. Land tenure settles – recognized private ownership. | 3. Serious land tenure problems, Gum is produced in the noman’s land. | | 4. Producers are mainly settled agriculturists. | 4. Producers are mostly nomads not interested in Gum development. | | 5. The stable system of Gum cultivation cycle is practiced in many areas. | 5. Over – exploitation and cutting of trees through shifting cultivation is practiced. | | 6. Development of Gum Projects at all levels. | 6. Lack of serious development projects. | | 7. Produces 85% – 90% of world production. | 7. Produces 10% – 15% of world production |
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Types and grades of Gum:
Grade 1 : Hashab (acacia Senegal): is sorted to the following grades:
Hand Picked Selected (HPS): The most expensive grade. Cleanest, lightest color and in the form of large nodules.
- Cleaned and Siftings: The material that remains after handpicked selected and siftings are removed. Comprises whole or broken lumps varying in color from pale to dark amber.
- Cleaned: The standard grade varying from light to dark amber. Contains siftings but dust removed.
- Siftings: Fine particles remaining following sorting of the choicer grades. Contains some sand, bark and dirt.
- Dust: Very fine particles collected after the cleaning process. Contains sand and dirt.
- Red: Dark red particles
Grade 2 : Talha (acacia seyal) is sorted to the following grades:
- Talha cleaned – size (4mm and above)
- Talha sifting grade – size (0.5mm ~ 4mm)
- Talha dust grade – size (under 0.5mm)
