Is Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) safe in cosmetics?
Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum)
Also known as: Acacia senegal, EINECS 232-519-5, FEMA No. 2001, Gum arabic (Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.), Gum arabicum (+6 more)
INCI: ACACIA SENEGAL GUM
Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) (CAS 9000-01-5) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Viscosity controlling, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, binding. Reported NOAEL =2500 mg/kg bw/day in Rat (EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 9000-01-5 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Function
Viscosity controlling, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, binding
Safety Rating
GOOD
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Permitted; GRAS food additive (21 CFR §184.1330); CIR concluded safe as used (2005, re-review 2023)
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum).
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum). NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =2500 mg/kg bw/day | - | Rat | chronic/long term toxicity | EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx |
EPA ToxValDB — Toxicity Values
6 toxicity values from EPA ToxValDB (aggregated from CCTE, HPV, ToxRefDB, IRIS, and other regulatory dossiers).
| Endpoint | Value | Species | Route | Duration | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LEL | =5220 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | subchronic | EFSA |
| LEL | =20000 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | - | EFSA |
| LEL | =2500 mg/kg-day | Rat | oral | chronic | EFSA |
| LEL | =7500 mg/kg-day | Mouse | oral | chronic | EFSA |
| LEL | =760 mg/kg-day | Human | oral | short-term | EFSA |
| LD50 | >16000 mg/kg | Rat | oral | - | TEST |
Additional Ingredient Properties
6 property records from structured ingredient metadata.
biopolymer
{"cas_number": "9000-01-5", "polymer_class": "plant_gum", "botanical_source": "Acacia senegal/Acacia seyal", "molecular_weight_range_kDa": "250-1000", "monosaccharide_composition": "galactose/arabinose/rhamnose/glucuronic acid", "degree_of_branching": "highly_branched", "charge_type": "anionic", "viscosity_1pct_solution_mPas": "5-15", "pseudoplastic_behavior": "Newtonian", "thixotropy": "no", "yie…
comedogenicity_detail
{"comedogenicity_rating": "0", "irritancy_rating": "0", "skin_type_suitability": "all,oily,combination,normal", "acne_safe": "yes", "source": "Natural gum"}
emulsion_hlb
{"hlb_required_as_emulsifier": "yes", "emulsifier_type": "o_w", "emulsion_stabilization_mechanism": "steric_electrostatic", "co_emulsifier_pairs": "xanthan_gum", "optimal_oil_phase_pct": "5-25", "optimal_water_phase_pct": "75-95", "electrolyte_tolerance": "moderate", "pH_emulsion_stability_range": "4.0-8.5", "viscosity_building_contribution": "moderate", "droplet_size_range_um": "0.5-18", "zeta_po…
hair_care
{"hair_function": "styling", "hair_type_suitability": "all", "curl_pattern_suitability": "curly/coily", "porosity_suitability": "all", "protein_sensitivity": "neutral", "moisture_protein_balance": "yes", "cg_method_approved": "not-a-silicone", "silicone_type": "not-a-sulfate", "sulfate_type": "no", "drying_alcohol": "no", "fatty_alcohol": "no", "heat_protectant": "yes", "color_safe": "neutral", "k…
sensory
{"silky": "gel-like", "smooth, glides easily": "smooth, gel", "dry-touch, non-greasy": "soft, smooth", "instant": "moderate", "low": "high", "w/o": "o/w", "very-high": "moderate", "no": "no", "yes": "no", "1.40": "1.48", "transparent": "transparent", "colorless": "pale-yellow", "excellent": "fair", "light": "light", "synthetic": "botanical"}
solubility_hlb
{"water_soluble": "yes", "oil_soluble": "no", "soluble_in": "water, glycerin", "insoluble_in": "oils, ethanol, silicones, propylene glycol", "log_p": "-5.8", "melting_point_c": "240", "appearance": "white to yellow powder", "source": "Nexira"}
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Deodorizer
Emulsifier
Film former
Flavouring and nutrient
Fragrance
Other
Processing aids not otherwise specified
Propellants
non-motive (blowing agents)
Regulatory List Membership (4)
EU Regulated in Personal Care
IFRA Fragrance Transparency List
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum).
Regulatory Flags
potential-allergen
epa_safer_alternative
ifra_fragrance
fda_food_additive
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
2500 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
2500 mg/kg bw/day
EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx
Known Synonyms
Acacia senegal
EINECS 232-519-5
FEMA No. 2001
Gum arabic (Acacia senegal (L.) Willd.)
Gum arabicum
Gum Dragon
NCI-C50748
Starsol No. 1
UNII-5C5403N26O
Acacia senegal resin
Acacia verek resin
Chemical Function
Film former
Deodorizer
Adhesion/cohesion promoter
Fragrance
Stabilizing agent
Regulatory Lists
Europe; Personal care
IFRA Transparency
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
SCIL (9/2019)
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in pharmaceutical and food safety data.
SOURCE
ChEMBL / DrugCentral / FAERS
DB_PHARMA count match
Pharmaceutical Data
Same-CAS rows from the pharmaceutical spoke database.
Adverse Event Associations
1
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
Arabic gum
Food Category
preservative
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) allowed in the EU?
Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) do in cosmetics?
Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) functions as: Viscosity controlling, film forming, emulsion stabilizing, binding. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9000-01-5.
What is the NOAEL for Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum)?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) is =2500 mg/kg bw/day based on a chronic/long term toxicity study via oral route in Rat. Source: EFSA_OpenFoodTox_EFSA_ReferencePoints.xlsx.
Is Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) used outside cosmetics?
Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) also appears in pharmaceutical and food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Gum Arabic (Acacia Senegal Gum) compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
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82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
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MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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