Acacia Catechu Gum

Safety Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) includes gum arabic (acacia senegal gum) on its list of substances considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) as a direct food additive. The safety of acacia-derived ingredients has been assessed by the Expert Panel for Cosmetic Ingredient Safety. The Expert Panel evaluated the scientific data and concluded that acacia senegal gum and acacia senegal gum extract were safe as used in cosmetics and personal care products. The Expert Panel also concluded that the available data were insufficient to determine the safety of the following ingredients in cosmetics and personal care products: acacia catechu gum, acacia concinna fruit extract, acacia dealbata leaf extract, acacia dealbata flower wax, acacia decurrens extract, acacia farnesiana flower/stem extract, acacia farnesiana flower wax, acacia farnesiana gum, and acacia senegal flower/stem extract.

The Expert Panel noted that only material derived from acacia senegal were reported to be used in cosmetics and personal care products. Toxicity data on gum arabic indicates little or no acute, short-term or sub chronic toxicity. Gum arabic is negative in several genotoxicity assays, is not a reproductive or developmental toxin, and is not carcinogenic when given intraperitoneally or orally. Clinical testing indicated some evidence of skin sensitization with gum arabic, although a maximization test of a product containing acacia senegal gum was negative. The extensive safety test data on gum arabic supports the safety of acacia senegal gum and acacia senegal gum extract, and it was concluded that these two ingredients were safe as used in cosmetic formulations. It was not possible, however, to relate the data on gum arabic to the crude extracts from species other than acacia senegal. Therefore, additional data were needed to support the safety of acacia catechu gum, acacia concinna fruit extract, acacia dealbata leaf extract, acacia dealbata flower wax, acacia decurrens extract, acacia farnesiana flower/stem extract, acacia farnesiana flower wax, acacia farnesiana gum, and acacia senegal flower/stem extract in cosmetics and personal care products. The Expert Panel requested composition data on the other ingredients to determine if the information on acacia senegal gum could be used to support the safety of the other acacia-derived ingredients. Link to the FDA Code of Federal Regulations for gum arabic (acacia senegal gum).

The acacia-derived ingredients may be used in cosmetics and personal care products marketed in Europe according to the general provisions of the Cosmetics Regulation of the European Union.

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives did not consider it necessary to specify an Acceptable Daily Intake for gum arabic.

Resources

Acacia Catechu Gum

What Is It?

Acacia catechu gum, acacia concinna fruit extract, acacia dealbata leaf extract, acacia dealbata flower wax, acacia decurrens extract, acacia farnesiana flower/stem extract, acacia farnesiana flower wax, acacia farnesiana gum, acacia senegal extract, acacia senegal gum and acacia senegal gum extract are derived from various species of the acacia, which are also known as thorntrees or wattles. Acacia senegal gum is a white powder, also called gum arabic. In cosmetics and personal care products, acacia-derived ingredients are used in the formulation of skin care, hair care, makeup and bath products.

Why Is It Used?

The following functions have been reported for the acacia-derived ingredients. Adhesive – acacia catechu gum, acacia senegal gum cosmetic astringent – acacia decurrens extract, acacia farnesiana flower/stem extract skin conditioning agent – emollient – acacia dealbata flower wax, acacia decurrens flower wax skin conditioning agent – occlusive – acacia decurrens extract, acacia decurrens flower wax skin protectant – acacia dealbata leaf extract.

Scientific Facts

Acacia senegal gum is the gummy exudate from acacia senegal and is often referred to by its technical name, gum arabic. Acacia concinna fruit extract is obtained by drying and pulverizing the pods of acacia concinna.

Acacia senegal gum, or gum arabic is comprised of various sugars and glucuronic acid residues in a long chain of galactosyl units with branched oligosaccharides. Acacia concinna fruit extract is generally described as containing saponins, alkaloids, and malic acid. In cosmetics and personal care products, acacia senegal gum functions as an adhesive.