Polysaccharides that function as water-control agents by increasing viscosity (resistance to flow) or by forming gels. Are classified by source according to the following principal groupings: plant exudates, which include arabic, tragacanth, karaya, and ghatti; seaweed extracts, which include agar, alginates, carrageenan, and furcelleran; plant seed , which include guar, locust bean, tamarind, psyllium, and quince; plant extracts, which include pectin and arabinogalactan; fermentation , which include xanthan gum, gellan gum, and dextran; and cellulose derivatives, which include carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, and microcrystalline cellulose. Gum derivatives include propylene glycol alginate and low-methoxyl pectin. They are also termed hydrocolloids.
