Scleroglucan
Functionality
Scleroglucan exhibits unique properties, such as:
- High thermal stability:
Unlike most natural and synthetic gums, high temperature has little effect on the viscosity of a solution of scleroglucan.
Below 10° C (50°F), the solutions have a semi-gelled appearance that disappears on shaking or heating.
Solutions of scleroglucan may be sterilized by heating at 121° C (250° F) for 20 hours without affecting their viscosity.
- Yield value and viscosity:
Solutions of scleroglucan have a pseudoplastic behavior, with a high yield value, resulting in solutions of high suspension power with good pouring properties.
- Anti-settling properties:
Because of the high yield value of scleroglucan, it is extremely effective in holding particles in suspension, in static as well as in dynamic conditions, without the risk of sedimentation.
- Compatibilities:
Due to its non-ionic character, scleroglucan is not affected by acids and alkalis over a wide pH range (2.5 to 12) and by most electrolytes.
It is compatible, without synergism, with most of the other thickeners such as guar gum, locust bean gum, alginate, gelatin, xanthan gum, carrageenans, and cellulose derivatives.
It is also compatible with most widely-used surfactants such as sulfates, sulfonates and quaternary ammonium salts. Scleroglucan remains soluble in mixtures containing up to 50% of polyols and glycols.