HealthJuly 15, 2026
xanthan
/ˈzænθən/
Definition
A complex polysaccharide produced by bacterial fermentation, commonly used as a food additive for thickening and stabilizing textures.
Etymology
The name is derived from the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, which is responsible for the fermentation process. It combines the Greek prefix 'xantho-' (meaning yellow, the color of the bacterium) with the suffix '-an' (used for polysaccharides).
In the news
The word appears in a trending article headline noting that 'chronic xanthan gum consumption' has been linked to colon inflammation, highlighting potential gastrointestinal risks.
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