E241 – Gum guaicum
PreservativeDescription
Resin from the guaiacum tree, used as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity in fats and oils
Notes
Guaiac resin is a natural substance extracted from the heartwood of guaiacum trees, which are slow-growing evergreen trees native to the Caribbean and parts of South America. The resin is obtained by making cuts in the tree's bark and collecting the dark, aromatic sap that seeps out, which then hardens into a greenish-brown resin. This resin has been used for centuries, originally for medicinal purposes and later discovered to have food preservation properties. As an antioxidant, guaiac resin prevents fats and oils in food from becoming rancid (developing off-flavours and odours) by blocking the chemical reactions that cause this spoilage. You might find it in some processed meats, baked goods containing fats, and certain snack foods where it helps maintain freshness and extend shelf life. Since it comes directly from trees, guaiac resin is completely natural and suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets. It's generally recognized as safe by food regulators, though its use has declined in favour of more effective synthetic antioxidants like BHT and BHA. The resin is also notable for being quite expensive due to the slow growth of guaiacum trees and their protected status in some regions.