INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMME ON CHEMICAL SAFETY

    WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION



    TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF SOME
    FOOD COLOURS, EMULSIFIERS, STABILIZERS,
    ANTI-CAKING AGENTS AND CERTAIN
    OTHER SUBSTANCES



    FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series 
    No. 46A WHO/FOOD ADD/70.36




    The content of this document is the result of the deliberations of the
    Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives which met in Rome,
    27 May - 4 June 19691





    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

    World Health Organization



                   
    1 Thirteenth report of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food
    Additives, FAO Nutrition Meetings Report Series, in press;
    Wld Hlth Org. techn.  Rep. Ser., in press.


    CAROB BEAN GUM

    This gum contains the polysaccharides mannoglactans.

    Biological Data

    Biochemical aspects

    None available.

    Acute toxicity

    None available.

    Short-term studies

    Man. A clinical study of a commercial preparation of carob gum as a
    laxative in doses of "two heaping teaspoonfuls" in 56 patients, some
    of whom took the preparation regularly for two years, resulted in no
    untoward effects related to the gastro-intestinal tract. and no
    allergic reactions (Holbrook, 1951).

    Long-term studies

    None available.

    Comments

    Carob bean gum is chemically related to Guar gum but the evidence
    suggests that it is probably less likely to be absorbed since it has a
    laxative action. The gum has been used traditionally in foods and
    pharmaceutical preparations. Evidence on the metabolism in several
    species, preferably including man, as well as short-term studies in
    two species, one of which should be a non-rodent, is required.

    EVALUATION

    Not possible on the data available.

    REFERENCES

    Holbrook, A. A. (1951) Amer. J. dig. Dis., 18, 24
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Carob bean gum (WHO Food Additives Series 5)
       Carob bean gum (WHO Food Additives Series 15)
       CAROB BEAN GUM (JECFA Evaluation)