Air fresheners are used to emit fragrance in order to suppress the foul smell and make the space pleasant. They are extensively used in homes, restrooms, foyers, hallways, vestibules and other smaller indoor areas, as well as larger areas such as hotel lobbies, medical facilities, public arenas, and other large interior spaces. These days, a number of air fresheners are developed, such as- electric fan air fresheners, gravity drip hygiene odour control cleaning systems, passive non-mechanical evaporating aroma diffusers, metered aerosol time-operated mist dispensers, sprays, candles, oils, gels, beads, and plug-ins. Additionally, air fresheners also utilize organic as well as household items.
Cassia gum, due to its property of acting as a gelling agent, is used in producing air fresheners. These air fresheners are available in the form of gels.
Summary: Air fresheners are widely used in rooms, restrooms, hallways, etc. to emit fragrance in order to reduce the foul smell. Air fresheners are available in several variants- electric fan air fresheners, gravity drip hygiene odour control cleaning systems, etc. Organic components are also utilized these days for the production of air fresheners to reduce their side-effects.
Cassia Gum
Cassia gum is a high molecular weight polysaccharide comprising of galactomannans. The galactose and mannose are in the ratio of 1:5. The cassia gum powder is produced from Cassia Tora seeds. The seeds are de-husked and de-germed by milling and screening the endosperm. There are various mechanical cleaning steps which are taken in order to remove impurities from the seeds, such as- farm waste, undeveloped seeds, and stones. The splits are obtained from seeds by thermal & mechanical treatment and later these splits are grounded to form uniform small sized particles.
Cassia gum powder is soluble in hot water and on heating, fully solubilizes and reaches full viscosity in the aqueous solution. It is comprised of at least 75 % polysaccharide, which primarily consists of a linear chain of 1, 4-β-D-mannopyranose units with 1, 6 linked α-D-alactopyranose units.
Summary: Cassia gum is produced from Cassia Tora seeds and is a polysaccharide comprising of galactomannans. The seeds of Cassia Tora are de-husked and de-formed by milling the endosperm and with further thermal & mechanical treatment, splits are obtained. These splits are grounded to form small size cassia gum powder.
Cassia Gum as a Gelling Agent
Cassia gum is considered as one of the finest gelling agents, thickening additives, emulsifying additives and stabilizing additives. It has the ability to form firm thermoplastic gels with carrageenan. Cassia gum, when combined with Xanthan gum, forms a cohesive and elastic gel. Both of them do not possess the ability to form gels on their own. For its property of acting as a gelling agent, it is used widely to produce air fresheners. The cassia gum powder air fresheners come in the form of gels and emit a very pleasant smell.
The refined cassia gum powder has a high availability of galactose side chains which prohibit the gelling effect with anionic polymers. Hence, a hydrocolloid blend containing cassia gum is added in the food product in order to achieve the same effect as it is obtained with carrageenan or blends of carrageenan with other related galactomannans. Apart from the gelling agent, cassia gum is also used as thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer, and bonding agent.
Summary: Cassia gum has the ability to form firm thermoplastic gels with carrageenan and it is considered to be amongst one of the pre-eminent gelling agents. Cassia gum and Xanthium gum do not possess the ability to form gels on their own. Although, they both combine together to form a cohesive & elastic gel. Additionally, Cassia gum is also used as a thickener, emulsifier, etc.
The Bottom Line: Air fresheners are used for the reduction of foul smells or for emitting fragrance in a space. The cassia gum has the ability to form a gelling agent with carrageenan, Xanthan gum, etc. and is used as an air freshener. This air freshener comes in the form of a gel and is widely preferred.