Spruce gum – a new natural Nordic stabilizer

Spruce O-acetyl-galactoglucomannans (GGM) are abundantly available Nordic forest biorefinery products that could replace several imported hydrocolloids and food additives, such as gum Arabic, guar gum, or konjac glucomannan in various applications. GGM – “spruce gum” – were recovered from thermomechanical pulp and saw meal of spruce, and characterized as film formers, hydro- and aerogel matrices, and emulsion stabilizers to prevent oil droplet coalescence and lipid oxidation. GGM forms oxygen barrier films, is responsible for elasticity in composite aerogels, and acts as efficient multifunctional emulsion stabilizer. The results could be applied in the food, packaging, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, coatings, and chemical industries.