Water-soluble gums are beneficial in many fields, including food, agricul ture, adhesives, biotechnology, ceramics, cosmetics, explosives, paper, tex tiles and texturization, among many others. It is almost impossible to spend a day without directly or indirectly enjoying their qualities. This book on hydrocolloid applications is divided into two major portions. The first is devoted to a few important gelling and non-gelling gums, their sources, the raw materials from which they are manufactured, their structures, functions and properties, followed by their food applica tions. The second part...