Arabinogalactan
A safe, natural, and prebiotic plant fiber.
- Category
- Thickeners
- Vegan
- Yes
- Vegetarian
- Yes
What it is
A natural biopolymer extracted from larch trees, acting as dietary fiber and a stabilizer.
How it is used in food
Arabinogalactan, obtained commercially from larch wood, is a highly water-soluble fibre that adds body and stabilises emulsions at low viscosity — useful when a formulator wants fibre and mouthfeel without thickening a drink. In the colon it is fermented to short-chain fatty acids and selectively supports Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, giving it genuine prebiotic function, and it reduces ammonia generation from protein fermentation.
Commonly found in- Dietary supplements
- Flavor carriers
Health and safety
Very safe; it functions as a prebiotic fiber in the gut.
Larch arabinogalactan is GRAS in the United States as a dietary fibre source, and reviews of the toxicological data report no evidence of toxicity or genotoxicity even at high intakes. Human studies (for example Robinson et al., 2004) show prebiotic shifts in gut flora and increased short-chain fatty acid production; claims of enhanced immune function or reduced cold incidence rest on small trials and are not accepted as substantiated by EFSA. As with any fermentable fibre, rapid increases in intake can cause flatulence and abdominal discomfort.
Regulatory status
| Region | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Australia & New Zealand FSANZ |
Permitted | Permitted under the FSANZ Food Standards Code. |
| European Union EFSA / European Commission |
Not approved | Not on the EU authorised list of food additives (Annex II). |
| United States FDA (Food and Drug Administration) |
Permitted | Authorised for food use by the FDA (often GRAS for standard additives). |
Identification on labels
- E-number
- E409
Worth knowing
The same polysaccharide is the main structural component of gum arabic, and in plants arabinogalactan-proteins act as signalling molecules in cell growth and pollen-tube guidance. Larch arabinogalactan is a by-product of extracting the wood for other uses, so a food fibre is recovered from what would otherwise be timber waste.
Conclusion
A safe, natural, and prebiotic plant fiber.
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Open the appEntry last reviewed 2026-07-28.
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