Canafen® Gum, is a new food hydrocolloid derived from Canadian grown fenugreek seed. Canafen® Gum is a water soluble hydrocolloid concentrated from seeds of the fenugreek plant, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum. Canafen® Gum is a purified white galactomannan extracted from the endosperm or gum layer of the fenugreek seed.

Canafen® Gum is manufactured from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), a drought tolerant annual legume grown in Canada. Fenugreek seeds are small, slightly irregular shaped, yellow-beige in color, and have a strong, bitter taste. The pungent taste makes fenugreek well suited to its traditional in curries and other spice mixes. Approximately one-quarter of the fenugreek seed is a gummy endosperm comprised of a unique galactomannan. The thickening effect of the galactomannan content of fenugreek is well known when used as an ingredient in curries.

Interest in fenugreek galactomannan has been increasing due to the general increase in demand for galactomannans for food and industrial use and the potential of fenugreek seed for large scale agricultural production.

Until recently, utilizing fenugreek galactomannans in commercial food products was problematic due to the bitter flavor, noticeable odor, and concentrated yellow color. New patented technology developed by Emerald Seed Products has solved usage issues, producing the world’s first food grade fenugreek gum – Canafen® Gum. Canafen® Gum can be incorporated into functional foods and health products without the characteristic fenugreek taste, odor, and color.

Fenugreek seeds are on the USA, GRAS list (Generally Regarded As Safe) and have a long record of safe use in the spice industry. Canafen® Gum from Emerald is manufactured in our production facility under audited Good Manufacturing Practices with Kosher and Organic certification. Fenugreek seed which is the raw material used for Canafen® Gum is locally grown under identity preserved contracts with full traceability to the originating farm. Suppliers are subject to on-farm food safety review to insure that raw materials are of the highest quality and purity.

Canafen® Gum Science

Canafen® Gum is a white to off white powder with a neutral flavor, odor and color. The predominant polysaccharide in Canafen® Gum is a unique soluble fiber, galactomannan. Canafen® Gum has a minimum specification of 75% galactomannan content. Galactomannans are widely used in food products to provide viscosity, stability, and texture. Fenugreek is the only source of galactomannan where units of the backbone, mannose, exist in a 1:1 ratio with the side groups of galactose.

This ratio is highly unique compared to other galactomannans:

This structure means that Canafen® Gum is a highly branched galactomannan with up to 90% of the mannose main chain units being substituted. Highly branched galactomannans form more stable solutions than linear galactomannans because shorter junction zones are available for association with other molecules. Molecules of branched galactomannans remain independent in solution and maintain stable solutions with high viscosity. Cleavage of branched galactomannans by enzymatic or acid hydrolysis does not reduce viscosity to the same extent as cleavage of more linear galactomannans.

Canafen® Gum Properties

The molecular distinctiveness of fenugreek galactomannan offers many applicable attributes.

Research on emulsification has shown that fenugreek gum is the most effective hydrocolloid in producing stable oil in water emulsions. Fenugreek gum produces emulsions with very small oil droplets which remain stable at lower concentrations.

Highly branched galactomannans are better bulking agents than lower branched gums. The highly branched molecular structure of Canafen® Gum resists enzymatic breakdown in the digestive tract, providing the most effective fiber in retaining viscosity. Other less branched gums are very susceptible to enzymatic degradation, and only mild hydrolysis by digestive enzymes can greatly lower viscosity.

In 1% solution, fenugreek galactomannan is more cold water soluble and imparts slightly less viscosity than guar gum.

Canafen® Gum tends to hydrate and develop viscosity faster than more linear galactomannans however the degree of fineness of the gum and the presence of other food components affects the hydration of all gums. In general a high shear force or a mixture with other rapidly dissolving materials is required to evenly hydrate gums.

Fenugreek galactomannan is not sensitive to pH extremes, has medium shear tolerance, and is compatible with dissolved ions and sugars. It also has effective emulsification capabilities, particularly for oil-in-water applications.

Canafen® Gum is manufactured by Emerald under a patented process using only water for extraction.

Canafen® Gum Applications

The addition of Canafen® Gum in food products facilitates product fiber claims. Fenugreek has been used for centuries as a culinary ingredient, a medicinal supplement, and an herbal remedy for high blood sugar, facilitating health claims for products incorporating Canafen® Gum.

Canafen® Gum can be substituted in many applications for traditional gums such as guar, xanthan, and locust bean. Potential applications for Canafen® Gum include thickening, emulsification, stabilizing and improving food texture, extending shelf life, moisture retention and water binding. This range of uses provides numerous methods for incorporating increased amounts of fiber in the diet.

Specific applications for which Canafen® Gum has been found to be effective include:

• Substitution for guar and xanthan gum at 1% as a thickener in meal replacement shakes.
• Addition to bread mixes at 2% increased water absorption, increased loaf size, improved tolerance to over mixing of the dough and retarded staling.
• Canafen® Gum can be used for stabilizing and emulsifying sauces and dressings.
• Canafen® Gum can be used in pet foods and meat products to prevent moisture loss and fat migration during storage.
• Canafen® Gum is cost effective compared to other fiber sources. Cost in use is lower than many other less effective fiber sources.

Several clinical trials in recent years have validated that the unique galactomannan in fenugreek is the key in blood sugar modulation. Canafen® Gum resists enzymatic breakdown, thereby having exceptional ability to remain viscous in the digestive tract. As a result, glucose absorption is delayed, lowering the glycemic response to foods. Canafen® Gum is an ideal ingredient for health-conscious functional foods with reduced glycemic indices and increased fiber content.

Canafen® Gum Advantages as a Healthy Food Ingredient:

• Fenugreek is recognized as a “healthful ingredient” for food product labels, positive image.
• Simple way to add fiber to low-glycemic index foods, and add fiber to high glycemic pastas, breads, salad dressings, sauces, and soups.
• Excellent ingredient for diet-conscious, diabetic-oriented food products, and complex carbohydrate heart-healthy products.
• Effective oil-in-water emulsifying and stabilizing characteristics.
• Readily fits into innovative products containing soluble fiber.
• Certified organic Canafen® Gum is also available.

Canafen® Gum is available in most types of packaging for customers’ convenience. Canafen® Gum is stable under recommended storage conditions and every batch is tested to meet stringent quality standards.

Canafen® Gum is the registered trademark of Emerald Seed Products Ltd.