xanthan gum

American  

[zan-thuhn guhm] / ˈzæn θən ˈgʌm /

noun

1. Nutrition. a water-soluble natural gum produced by the fermentation of sugar with certain microorganisms and used as a binder, extender, or stabilizer in foods and other products.

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xanthan gum British  

/ ˈzænˌθæn /

noun

1. a complex polysaccharide exuded by colonies of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris: used as a food additive in salad dressings, dairy products, etc

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xanthan gum Scientific  

/ zăn′thən /

1. A natural gum of high molecular weight produced by fermentation of glucose (usually in the form of corn syrup) with bacteria. Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer in commercial food preparation.

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Example Sentences

As reported in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the key to preventing organoids from clumping was xanthan gum, a widely used food additive.

From Science Daily • Oct. 18, 2025

The bakery is not only free from gluten and the other seven most common allergens, but also free from rice, corn, potatoes and xanthan gum.

From Seattle Times • May 16, 2023

For this recipe, the unconventional touches include gluten-free all-purpose flour and a bit of xanthan gum or psyllium husk powder.

From Salon • Dec. 1, 2021

They allowed the restorers to give her a facial of micro-gel packs of xanthan gum, a stabilizer often found in toothpaste and cosmetics that is derived from the Xanthomonas campestris bacteria.

From New York Times • May 30, 2021

I’m betting it got its creaminess from xanthan gum or some other additive.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan