Gum arabic is available in crystals, granules and powder.
It is defined as the dried exudate obtained from the stems and branches of Acacia Senegal or the related species of Acacia (Fam. Leguminosae).

It consists mainly of high molecular weight polysaccharides and their calcium, magnesium and potassium salts, which on hydrolysis yield arabinose galactose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid.

Three principal fractions have been identified in Gum Arabic:

Arabinogalactan - 88% of the molecule and approximately 15% of the polypeptide fraction.

Arabinogalactan - protein complex - 10% of the molecule and nearly 50% of the polypeptide.

Glycoprotein - 1% of the molecule and again nearly half of the polypeptide fraction.