Performance analysis, conceptual mapping, and emerging trends for Gum Arabic research: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis from 1916 to 2023

Abstract

Gum Arabic (GA) is a natural ingredient used in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Numerous studies have been conducted on the physicochemical properties and applications of GA. This study aimed to map knowledge and perform a bibliometric analysis of GA research (GAR) for over a century ago. A search was carried out in the Scopus database using relevant terms and Boolean operators (Gum Arabic OR Acacia gum, OR gum sudani), and data-driven documents in English were extracted. The extracted data included citations, bibliographical and geographical information, abstracts, and keywords. The CVS and BibTex data files were analyzed using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix platforms, respectively. The annual increase in GAR is incremental, consisting of 5313 documents over 108 years and produced by 27 scientific disciplines. The three most productive countries are India, China, and the United States. The rate of international co-authorship was 22.07%, with China being the most collaborative country. Food Hydrocolloids is the most prestigious source. Phillips, G.O., is the most prolific, cited, and co-cited author. Four clusters were detected based on the co-citation analysis of the authors. The most frequent terms in the GAR were “nanoparticles,” “carbon nanotubes,” “stability,” “rats,” “microencapsulation,” and ”lipase.” “Carbon nanotubes” and “microencapsulation” are evolving subjects in GAR. 2000 and 2010 are the turning points in GAR’s thematic evolution. “Ultrasound,” “Pickering emulsion,” “sensory evaluation,” “bioactive compounds,” “cytotoxicity,” and “green synthesis” are the trending topics. Our findings reveal the most common scientific research on GAR, with the physiochemical qualities of GA as a dietary and pharmaceutical constituent being the most common. The marketing, production, tapping, and processing of GA requires further investigation.

Graphical Abstract

Introduction

Gum Arabic (GA) has a long history as a commercially used exudate gum, spanning over 4000 years, making it the oldest and most widely recognized in its category. Certain species of the Acacia genus serve as the origin of GA (Phillips, 1998; Prasad et al., 2022). Exudate gum is widely recognized as the most essential gum because of its natural nature and established safety records. This product is used in several industries (Prasad et al., 2022). GA production benefits producing nations in terms of sustained agroforestry development, foreign exchange earnings, climate change mitigation, and desertification prevention (Carneiro et al., 2013; Chen et al., 2023; Li, X. et al., 2018; Liang et al., 2021; Phillips, 1998; Sarabandi et al., 2019; Williams & Phillips, 2021).

GA has a range of unique properties that make it highly valuable for numerous industrial applications. In the food and beverage industry, it serves as a versatile ingredient that acts as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and emulsifier, providing stability to emulsions, preventing sugar crystallization, and improving texture and mouthfeel. Additionally, it acts as a binding agent for confectionery products. The pharmaceutical industry uses GA as a binder and film-coating agent to ensure the cohesion and integrity of tablet formulations. In the printing and ink industries, it serves as a dispersant and stabilizer, evenly distributes pigments, and binds the ink to substrates. GA is used in cosmetics as a thickening and emulsifying agent, whereas in textile printing, it improves color penetration and aids pigment adhesion. It is also used in photographic emulsions as an adhesive in various applications as well as in the coating and encapsulation of sensitive ingredients. Additionally, GA acts as a binder in agriculture and tobacco industries (Al-Maqtari et al., 2021; Cano-Chauca et al., 2005; Li, J. et al., 2018; Paula et al., 2019; Weaver, 1916; Zohuriaan & Shokrolahi, 2004). In general, its versatility, stability, and nontoxicity make it an indispensable ingredient in diverse industries, leading to its widespread use (Ali, et al. 2009) . GA is an amphiphilic, branched polysaccharide. It is frequently used because of its high ionic strength, superior emulsibility over a wide pH range, and its ability to withstand high temperatures (Li et al., 2018; Paula et al., 2019; Weaver, 1916; Zohuriaan & Shokrolahi, 2004).

The cultivation of GA trees, particularly Acacia senegal and Acacia seyal, is beneficial to the environment and local communities. These trees are grown in arid regions of Africa to combat desertification and promote biodiversity, and their deep root systems help prevent soil erosion and improve soil fertility. Additionally, the cultivation of GA trees provides habitat for various species and supports local ecosystems. In addition, they create economic opportunities for communities by generating sustainable income and improving their livelihoods. In general, gum arabic cultivation contributes to environmental sustainability and economic development in arid regions (Hammad & Mohammed, 2018).

A performance analysis and conceptual mapping of any research should be performed regularly to determine current and future trends. This objective is further supported by the implementation of pertinent bibliometric techniques (Chen et al., 2022; Mendes et al., 2023). Given the importance of the GA and its wide use in different applications, it is important to constantly and regularly re-evaluate the GAR using both bibliometric methods. Although only one bibliometric study has examined GAR, it is important to note that this study has several limitations. Specifically, it encompassed only 20 years, ranging from 1990 to 2020, and included a limited number of research documents; the materials included research articles and scholarly reviews. Therefore, the objective of this study was to comprehensively analyze all data-driven research conducted throughout the history of GA, from its inception to the present. Various analytical approaches have been used to examine evolutionary trajectories in GAR. Using bibliometric methods, this study aimed to visualize and evaluate the transformation of GAR, highlighting its shift from traditional applications to emerging trends. The findings of this analysis provide insights into the evolving focus of GA research and offer valuable guidance for future research in the field.

Materials and methods

Database selection

Scopus is widely considered as a standard scientific database, making it a suitable choice for scientometric studies (Arora et al., 2013). Scopus was selected as the primary database for this study because of its widespread use and its recognized status as a comprehensive scientific database. Scopus provides extensive coverage across multiple disciplines and publication formats including journals, conference papers, books, and intellectual publications. Its robust search options enable efficient retrieval of articles based on titles, abstracts, keywords, and various filters. Additionally, Scopus incorporates a citation monitoring system that allows for the analysis of article citation trends and impacts, providing valuable insights into the influence and dissemination of research within the field of GAR.

Search strategy

This study adhered to PRISMA guidelines ( Sarkis-Onofre et al., 2021) as shown in Fig. 1. Data for this study were obtained in July 2023 from the Scopus database without imposing any limitations on the publication year. A search method was employed that incorporated terms associated with GAR (Fig. 1). The terms used were “gum arabic,” “Acacia gum,” and “gum sudani”. These terms were entered in the “TITLE-ABSRACT-KEYWORDS” field in the Scopus database. Two researchers (M.M.E.T. and S.I.A.) individually selected the most cited publications after carefully reviewing the titles and abstracts. Following the selection of GAR-derived studies, the data files were extracted using the comma separated value (CVS) and BibTex formats. BibTeX uses a style-independent text-based file format for lists of bibliographic items such as articles, books, and services, and the extracted data include citations, bibliographical and geographical details, abstracts, and keywords.

Fig. 1

Search and selection criteria are used according to the PRISMA guidelines. TITLE-ABS-KEY: Title, Abstract, Keyword. Ar: article; DOCTYPE: type of document

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria for this study were the selection of original articles written in English and indexed in Scopus. The search results were filtered to include articles aligned with the research objectives. Review articles, book chapters, editorials, and conference papers were excluded from analysis. Articles written in languages other than English were excluded. This study did not impose any specific time constraints on the selection of articles, allowing for a comprehensive examination of the relevant literature.

Data analysis

The extracted data were examined using VOSviewer (version 1.6.19) for analysis and construction of the co-authorship and co-citation network (van Eck & Waltman, 2010). To generate the co-citation of the authors, the software was fed the names of authors with at least 400 citations as a unit of analysis. This software organizes constituents into nodes (clusters) that are closely related and represented by various colors, with the number of clusters proportional to the resolution parameter. Total link strength (TLS) was calculated using VOSviewer for each constituents. Using the Bibliometrix (version 4.1.4) (Arruda et al., 2022), knowledge structure, thematic maps, thematic evolution, and trending topics were mapped. It was also used to determine the collaboration network of GAR, single-country publications, and publications from multiple countries. G-index, M-index, and H-index are bibliometric indices used to evaluate the impact and productivity of researchers and their publications. The G-index measures cumulative impact by determining the highest number of articles that collectively receive at least G < 2 citations. The M-index combines productivity and impact by calculating the average impact per publication based on the square root of the citation counts. The H-index considers both the number of publications and their citations, indicating that a researcher has an H-index of h if they have h publications with at least h citations. These indices provide valuable tools for assessing researchers’ scholarly contributions, comparing their outputs, and gauging their influence within their respective fields (Ghani et al., 2019). Regression analysis of the data was performed using Microsoft Excel 365.

Results

Overview of the literature of GA

Using the recommended key terms and Boolean operators, the initial results for the Scopus database revealed 6,297 documents in all the languages from 1916 to 2023. These include articles, reviews, conference papers, book chapters, notes, letters, erratum, editorials, short surveys, books, conference reviews, and data papers. As shown in Table 1, data-driven articles accounted for 88.63% of GA-related knowledge. The present study only used original journal articles in English (n = 5313).

Table 1 Overview of the literature of Gum Arabic

Annual productions, participating disciplines, and hotspots

The present study examines the distribution of original publications in the GAR, consisting of 5,313 documents published over 108 years. The analysis revealed a strong exponential relationship (R² = 0.87) between the number of articles and years (Fig. 2). Over the past decade, the production rate has increased significantly, with a yearly growth rate of 5.94%. Consequently, the cumulative growth during this period was 59%. Surprisingly, 4% of GAR was generated before 1980. The average age of the participants was 12 years.

Fig. 2

Annual production and citaiton of GAR. Y-axes: the number of articles published (right) and citation average (left). X-axis: the years since the first article published on the subject of this paper. Bars are the average number of citaions per year. The year 2023 was excluded from the analysis in this figure

Based on the categorization of scopes for scientific disciplines, GAR has been distributed in 27 disciplines (Fig. 3), including Agricultural and Biological Sciences (19.19%), Chemistry (15.95%), Chemical Engineering (11.11%), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (10.48%), Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (7.15%), Materials Science (6.74%), Medicine (5.81%), Engineering (4.89%), Physics and Astronomy (3.19%), Environmental Science (3.05%), Immunology and Microbiology (2.80%), Nursing (1.69%), Energy (1.56%), Social Sciences (1.20%), Economics, Econometrics and Finance (0.92%), Health Professions (0.77%), Multidisciplinary (0.76%), Arts and Humanities (0.54%), Veterinary (0.43%), Computer Science (0.38%), Business, Management and Accounting (0.37%), Earth and Planetary Sciences (0.37%), Dentistry (0.22%), Mathematics (0.21%), Neuroscience (0.19%), Psychology (0.04%) and Decision Science (0.01%).

Fig. 3

Participating disciplines in GAR (%). Agricultural and Biological Sciences (19.19%), Chemistry (15.95%), Chemical Engineering (11.11%), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (10.48%), Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (7.15%), Materials Science (6.74%), Medicine (5.80%), Engineering (4.89%), Physics and Astronomy (3.19%), Environmental Science (3.05%), Immunology and Microbiology (2.80%), Nursing (1.69%), Energy (1.56%), Social Sciences (1.20%), Economics, Econometrics and Finance (0.92%), Health Professions (0.77%), Multidisciplinary (0.76%), Arts and Humanities (0.54%), Veterinary (0.43%), Computer Science (0.38%), Business, Management and Accounting (0.37%), Earth and Planetary Sciences (0.37%), Dentistry (0.22%), Mathematics (0.21%), Neuroscience (0.19%), Psychology (0.04%), and Decision Science (0.01%)

Of the 101 countries, India, China, and the United States were the three most productive, contributing 30.5% of the GAR, as indicated in Table 2. A total of 4,751 institutions had enriched knowledge of GA. The State University of Campinas in Brazil, Jiangnan University in China, and the University of Edinburgh in the UK maintained their positions as the top three institutions with 90, 84, and 80 documents, respectively. Phillips, G.O., Anderson, D.M.W., Sanchez, C., and McClements, D.J. are prominent researchers who have authored more than 30 scientific publications among 15,760 authors. The journal Food Hydrocolloids exhibits the highest volume of published publications. 5313 GAR-based articles were published in 1609 sources.

Table 2 Top-productive countries, affiliations, authors, and sources

Figure 4 shows a three-field plot. The thickness of the lines connecting authors from different countries represents the number of papers they co-authored. The thickness of the lines connecting countries and sources represents the number of papers from each country published in each source. Each rectangle represents the author, country, or source. The size of the rectangle represents the importance of nodes in the network. This figure elucidates the correlation among esteemed authors, their respective countries, and their sources they published in. Unlike the data presented in Table 2, it can be observed that China, Malaysia, and Brazil emerged as the leading contributors in terms of publications from the most attractive sources. A discrepancy was observed in the arrangement of the sources when compared to Table 2. Phillips, G.O., has achieved the highest level of international collaboration by publishing with various countries in several academic journals. Regarding publications in highly reputable journals, there have been instances when certain authors have been less active or no longer contribute. However, other authors have emerged in connection with these publications.

Fig. 4

Three-field plot. AU: authors; AU_CO: country of the authors; SO: sources. The thickness of the lines connecting authors from different countries represents the number of papers they have co-authored. The thickness of the lines connecting countries and sources represents the number of papers from each country that have been published in each source. Each rectangle represents an author, country, or source. The size of the rectangle represents the importance of the nodes in the network. This figure was generated using the Bibliometrix application and the BibTex data file

Local and international collaboration

The rate of international co-authorship in the GAR is recorded at 22.07%. GAR experienced significant research collaboration. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom, respectively, have the most extensive collaborative networks. Owing to their participation in 61 collaborative initiatives, China and the United States demonstrated the most significant level of bilateral collaboration. Saudi Arabia and Egypt were second, with 58 projects each. China’s primary partners are the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada.

Figure 5A presents comprehensive information on the 15 most productive countries in GAR-related studies. SCP refers to single-country publications, MCP represents multiple-country publications, and the MCP ratio is the proportion of MCPs in the total publication number. MCP ratio values highlight the intensity of research in various countries within a given context. These values represent the proportion of research articles published in each country, relative to the total number of articles in the dataset. Among the countries listed, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia demonstrate similar high research intensity with MCP ratios of 0.443 and 0.442, respectively, while Egypt follows closely with an MCP ratio of 0.393. In particular, Korea, China, Malaysia, and the USA also exhibited significant research output, with MCP ratios of 0.288, 0.274, 0.27, and 0.25, respectively. In terms of international collaboration, the United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia show substantial engagement, while China leads the collaboration index. Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Iran, demonstrate a higher degree of international collaboration than other countries do, as indicated by their MCP ratios. These MCP ratio values provided valuable insights into the relative contributions and research activities of different countries within a specified domain.

This research also sought to investigate the temporal progression of international cooperation and utilized the VSviewer program. This study identified the countries that had joined the most recent cooperative efforts in the context of GAR. Figure 5B shows that some countries, such as China, Turkey, and Iran, have recently collaborated in GAR. The countries indicated in yellow in this figure represent those that have recently joined cooperative research efforts related to GAR.

Fig. 5

A Single-country (SCP) and multiple-country (MCP) publications. B temporal mapping and clustering of collaboration. Countries and regions with yellow color were new to collaborative research in GAR

Citation analysis: impactful GAR

The H-index for all data was 154. Figure 2 shows the mean number of citations per article. This represents the average number of citations each article received in the GAR for a given year. The values in the figure range from 0 to 116.5, indicating varying levels of citation impact for the articles published within each year. Higher values suggest that the articles had a greater impact and were cited more frequently by other researchers in the field. In contrast, lower values indicate lower citation rates for articles. Analyzing the changes in citations over time allows researchers to assess the influence and recognition of GAR within the academic community and track the overall impact of published work.

The countries that have produced the most impressive knowledge and received high citations are China (n = 15,382), India (n = 12,915), the United States (n = 12,109), Brazil (n = 11,399) and Iran (n = 7,667). Food Hydrocolloids, Food Chemistry, Carbohydrate Polymers, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, and Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry were the most cited sources with 14,201, 6,687, 6,638, 4,864, and 4,687, respectively. Table 3 shows the most prestigious authors according to their H-index, G-index, M-index, total citations, and first year of publication. Phillips, G.O., booked first place according to his total citations and H-index. Hubinger, M.D., ranked second in total citations, while Anderson, D.M.W., secured the same spot in terms of the H-index. The most locally cited authors are Phillips, G.O., Anderson, D.M.W., and Zhang, Y.

Table 3 Author citations

As shown in Table 4. The most cited articles reviewed carbon nanotubes (Bandyopadhyaya et al., 2002; Dror et al., 2003), encapsulation of drugs using GA (Carneiro et al., 2013), GA as a food carrier (Cano-Chauca et al., 2005), GA-based emulsions (Huang et al., 2001), coacervation of whey proteins and GA (Weinbreck et al., 2003), thermal properties of natural and modified gums (Zohuriaan & Shokrolahi, 2004), use of GA as a magnetic nanoadsorbent (Banerjee & Chen, 2007), and fermentation of GA using Bacteroides (Salyers et al., 1977).

Table 4 Top-cited documents

Co-citaion analysis

Co-citation analysis was performed using VOSviewer for the 243,735 co-cited authors. Of these authors, 39 met the threshold of 400 citations. The mapping by these authors resulted in four clusters (Fig. 6). For each of the 39 authors, the total strength of co-citation links with other authors was calculated. The authors with the highest total link strength were selected. The most influential authors are listed in Table 5, based on the total strength of the link. Phillips, G.O., McClements, D.J., Li, Y., and Jafari, S.M. led to the four clusters. The number of spots in the yellow and green clusters was lower than that in the blue and red clusters (Table 5). Phillips G.O. booked first place, with a total link strength of 38,349.

Table 5 Total link strength and co-citation of the top authors in each clusters. The color of each cluster was defined in Fig. 6

Fig. 6

Co-citaion visulization. The analysis was performed using VOSviewer for 243,735 of co-cited authors. Of the authors, 39 authors meet the threshold of 400 citations. Mapping of these 39 authors resulted in four clusters. For each of the 39 authors, the total strength of the co-citation links with other authors was calculated

Science mapping and conceptual structure

Keyword co-occurrence

In 5,313 documents, the GAR researchers used 10,983 of 23,328 indexed keywords. Knowledge mapping and structure depend on the terms used by researchers (Fig. 7). The most frequently used keywords in GAR are Gum Arabic (1,078), microencapsulation (311), spray drying (277), encapsulation (225), complex coacervation (132), stability (122), maltodextrin (118), acacia gum (111), antioxidant activity (95), arabic gum (86), emulsion (86), spray drying (86), rheology (73), chitosan (71), gelatin (70), polysaccharides (67), Acacia senegal (65), and gum acacia (63).

Fig. 7

Word cloud

Thematic map

The thematic map provides an overview of the distribution and importance of these research topics within the field, allowing for a better understanding of their development and interconnections. Thematic map analysis allows the localization of research subjects within specific fields by utilizing the author’s chosen keywords (Mendes et al., 2023). The analysis categorized these research subjects into four distinct themes: basic, motor, niche, and emerging or declining (Fig. 8; Table 6). Using the Bibliometrix program, nine research topics were extracted and distributed to the four quadrants, namely “gum acacia,” “nanoparticles,” “carbon nanotubes,” “gum Arabic,” “Acacia senegal,” “stability,” “rats,” “microencapsulation,” and “lipase.” As shown in Fig. 8, certain research clusters occupied a transition state within the thematic map of GAR. The terms used to construct the clusters are listed in Table 6. Here are the values of centrality and density for each research cluster: Gum Acacia (Centrality: 0.0136, Density: 1.9481), nanoparticles (Centrality: 0.0257, Density: 2.8379), Carbon Nanotubes (Centrality: 0.0014, Density: 3.8265), Gum Arabic (Centrality: 0.1303, Density: 2.6141), Acacia senegal (Centrality: 0.0093, Density: 2.0710), stability (Centrality: 0.0804, Density: 2.7776), rats (Centrality: 0.0017, Density: 2.6316), microencapsulation (Centrality: 0.0646, Density: 2.9805), and lipase (Centrality: 0.0000, Density: 3.3333). These values indicate the importance and development of each research cluster on the thematic map.

Fig. 8

Thematic map. Thematic maps are divided into four quadrants based on centrality and density, which represent the importance and development of research topics. This figure was generated using the Bibliometrix application and the BibTex data file

Table 6 Mapping of thematic clsuters and their respective terms

Thematic evolution

The thematic evolution of GAR depicted in Fig. 9 shows changing research interests and emphases within the field over time. In previous years (1916–2000), the focus was primarily on Acacia, dietary fiber, emulsion, encapsulation, gelatin, Arabic gum, gums, lipase, rats, and oxidative stress. From 2001 to 2010, the research themes changed to Acacia senegal, gum, gum Arabic, gum exudates, rats, microencapsulation, adsorption, arabinogalactan-protein, emulsion stability, and morphology. From 2011 to 2024, research continued to focus on gum Arabic, but with additional emphasis on gum acacia, microencapsulation, viscosity, morphology, and oxidative stress. These transitions reflect the dynamic nature of scientific inquiry and highlight the diverse areas of interest and investigation within GAR over time.

Fig. 9

Thematic evolution. 2001 and 2011 were crucial points for the transformation of the main topics. This figure was generated using the Bibliometrix application and the BibTex data file

Trending topics

Figure 10 illustrates the results of the Bibliometrix analysis of the trending topics. The horizontal lines indicate the topic’s timeframe, and the circles indicate their occurrence. “Ultrasound,” “Pickering emulsion,” “sensory evaluation,” “bioactive compounds,” “cytotoxicity,” “green synthesis,” “antioxidant activity,” “freeze drying,” and “curcumin” are the trending topics in GAR. “Microencapsulation” and “sensory evaluation” have the longest lifetimes.

Fig. 10

Trending topics in GAR

Discussion

Given the importance of GA, the breadth of its use, and the sizeable number and diversity of studies in numerous fields, it is essential to continually and routinely re-evaluate GAR. Therefore, this study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the GAR from 1916 to 2023. This study performed a performance analysis and evaluated factors such as publication output, impact of citations, collaboration patterns, and author productivity. Additionally, this study intends to create a conceptual map of research in GA, identifying key research themes, influential authors, and interconnections between different areas of study. The analysis also uncovers emerging trends in GAR, highlighting evolving research interests, novel research directions, and potential future developments in this field.

The current study included all data-based research published in the English language. Using the analytical power of the primary research found in original studies, we gain insight into novel methodologies, theoretical frameworks, and groundbreaking discoveries that shape the field’s trajectory. While acknowledging the dominance of English-language data, we recognize the importance of embracing multilingual perspectives, particularly for capturing regional nuances and fostering a more comprehensive understanding of GAR’s global tapestry. This research aligns with previous studies that used an original analysis based on English (Alauddin et al., 2018; Alkhammash, 2023).

Quantification of research growth plays a crucial role in assessing the level of interest among researchers and the overall success of the research area (Alkhammash, 2023). The current findings demonstrate a robust exponential relationship between the number of GAR-related articles and years. This impetus may be explained by the fact that more than 27 different research disciplines have contributed to the study of this natural substance (Fig. 3). The present findings are consistent with those of previous research on the increasing trend of studies focused on GA (Musa et al., 2021). The surge in GAR activity could potentially be attributed to the industrial and economic significance of GA. In addition, the availability of the acacia tree, suitable climate, knowledge of the industrial and food applications of gum, industrial conversion of raw gum into products suitable for the food and pharmaceutical industries, and historical acquisition of the international market and buyers are all factors that contribute to the increase in the number of GA studies (Weinbreck et al., 2003; Cano-Chauca et al., 2005; Bandyopadhyaya et al., 2002; Dror et al., 2003). Moreover, recent research has incorporated undeveloped countries to investigate the novel culinary and industrial uses of GA. Certain countries, such as China (Al-Maqtari et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2019) and India (Prasad et al., 2022, 2023), have developed dedicated research facilities for the study of natural gums, despite the absence of acacia tree growth in these regions. However, it is striking that countries rich in natural resources have not produced research comparable to their agricultural output. The major exporters of GA in 2021 are Sudan, Mali, and Chad (OEC, 2023). According to the present analysis, of the 101 countries, India, China, and the United States publish the most, accounting for 30.5% of the GAR (OEC, 2023). Some nations, such as Sudan and Chad, which produce many GA, are far behind in terms of their contribution to GAR. Additional considerations include the requirement for cutting-edge research facilities and national regulations prohibiting the export of raw materials from producing nations. Our findings, on the dearth of research output in those nations is consistent with numerous previous studies that examined research on natural resources (Osemwegie et al., 2023) or endemic diseases (Piovezan-Borges et al., 2022) in those countries. However, other nations have demonstrated exceptional performance in this field of research.

The extensive international collaboration network explains the acquisition of some countries in research production and the emergence of new names in the GAR. China, the United States, and the United Kingdom have the most extensive collaborative network. China and the United States exhibit the most significant degree of bilateral collaboration, as seen in their participation in 61 joint documents. The current findings revealed that some countries, such as China, Turkey, and Iran, have recently collaborated in the GAR. China’s active involvement in GAR can be attributed to its economic importance, resource diversification strategies, international collaborations, and the market demand for natural and sustainable products (Carneiro et al., 2013; Chen et al., 2023; Li, X. et al., 2018; Liang et al., 2021). The current study agrees with its predecessors in that Western countries are the most cooperative (Piovezan-Borges et al., 2022; The current study agrees with its predecessors in that Western countries are the most cooperative) in many research areas.

Quantification of citations has been considered a metric for assessing the caliber and influence of a scientific publication (Mendes et al., 2023). Among the top ten cited articles in the field of GA research, a wide range of topics have been studied (Carneiro et al., 2013; Cano-Chauca et al., 2005; Bandyopadhyaya et al., 2002; Kim et al., 2010; Weinbreck et al., 2003; Dror et al., 2003; Banerjee & Chen, 2007; Zohuriaan & Shokrolahi, 2004; Salyers et al., 1977; Huang et al., 2001). These articles provide valuable insights into nanotechnology, food engineering, innovative food science, material science, and microbiology. The highest cited study in GAR focused on achieving stable dispersion of carbon nanotubes in water-based solutions. Bandyopadhyaya et al. (2002) explored the challenge of aggregation in carbon nanotubes and proposed a method for dispersing nanotubes using GA in aqueous solutions. Carbon nanotubes tend to form bundled structures as a result of strong van der Waals attractions, hindering their applications and diminishing their unique properties. Researchers have demonstrated that by adding GA to the nanotube powder in a single-step process, stable dispersions of individual nanotubes can be achieved. GA was physically adsorbed onto the nanotubes, preventing aggregation and allowing well-separated and fully dispersed nanotubes. This approach effectively preserved the special properties of the individual nanotubes and overcame the obstacle of aggregation.

In a study conducted by Carneiro et al. (2013), the encapsulation efficiency and oxidative stability of flaxseed oil microencapsulated by spray drying using different combinations of wall materials were investigated. The researchers aimed to identify the most effective combination of wall materials to protect flaxseed oil from oxidation while maintaining high encapsulation efficiency. They tested various ratios of whey protein isolate (WPI), maltodextrin (MD), and gum Arabic (GA) as wall materials. The results indicate that the combination of WPI and MD in a 1:1 ratio exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency and provided effective protection against oxidation. This combination demonstrated lower peroxide values and reactive substances with thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) compared to other combinations. Researchers attributed the improved oxidative stability to the barrier properties and antioxidant capacity of the WPI-MD combination. This study highlights the importance of selecting suitable combinations of wall materials for spray-drying microencapsulation of flaxseed oil, with the WPI-MD combination showing promise for the microencapsulation of sensitive bioactive compounds.

The remaining articles that were frequently referenced in the GAR covered a wide range of topics from various academic disciplines. Kim et al. 2010 conducted a study on the improved thermoelectric behavior of nanotube-filled polymer composites. The purpose of this study is to enhance the thermoelectric properties of polymer composites by incorporating carbon nanotubes and a specific polymer. Another study investigated the formation and properties of coacervate complexes formed between whey proteins and GA, a natural food additive. One study presented a method for embedding carbon nanotubes in oriented polymer nanofibers using electrospinning. Another study focused on efficient removal of Cu ions using a magnetic nanoadsorbent modified with GA. One study examined the thermal properties and behavior of natural and modified gums. Another study investigated the fermentation capabilities of Bacteroides strains from the human colon for mucin and plant polysaccharides. Finally, an article explored the influence of hydrocolloids on the particle size distribution and interfacial properties of the emulsions. These extensively cited articles indicate a notable concentration of research attention on exploring the novel applications of GA in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. However, only a limited body of research is available on the biological characteristics of GA. Collectively, these articles contribute to the advancement of knowledge in their respective fields and highlight the diverse applications and potentials of GA. The analysis of extensively cited publications and the predominant publication venues in the field of GAR indicates a notable concentration of research attention toward exploring the novel applications of GA in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. There is a limited body of research on the biological characteristics of GA. Similarly, the current study aligns with previous research that examined the most frequently cited documents in various disciplines (Alauddin et al., 2018; Alkhammash, 2023), including the bibliometric analysis of Musa et al. (2021).

The most cited author was Phillips, G.O., with 3,986 citations and 83 articles. This researcher is recognized worldwide to dedicate his career to the study of GA. According to Scopus categorization of research topics, his main interests include gingiva, emulsion, creaming, emulsifying agents, characterization, kafirins, and caseinates (Islam et al., 1997; Li et al., 2009; Osman et al., 1993; Phillips & Phillips, 2011; Phillips, 1998; Snowden et al., 1987; Williams & Phillips, 2021). Phillips’ articles are among the 100 most cited, addressing the essential aspects of GA as a necessary and natural ingredient in food and pharmaceutical applications.

The co-citation network identifies the evolution of the research ideas (Arora et al., 2013). In this study, a co-citation analysis was created for 243,735 co-cited authors. The co-citation network produced by these references based on how frequently they are mentioned together in the same articles can reflect the underlying research themes of the scientific community because it is thought that two often cited references are likely connected in some way (Chen et al., 2022). Four clusters were detected based on the basis’ co-citation analysis of the co-authors. Cluster 1 (blue) was anchored by Phillips, G.O., and its main interests were GA, emulsion, gingiva, foaming capacity, and creaming (Bordoh et al., 2022; Li et al., 2009; Phillips, 1998; Williams & Phillips, 2021). McClements, D.J. and Decker, E.A., are the leading scholars in the yellow cluster. McClements’ interests include emulsions, colloids, biopolymers, foods, and digestion. His primary research has focused on GA as a biopolymer (Ozturk et al., 2015). Chinese scholars occupy the red clusters. Diacylglycerols, lipozymes, enzymatic interesterification, and drug encapsulation are the primary research interests of this red cluster (Chen et al., 2023; Li et al., 2018). Spray-drying, powders, and drug formulations are the main interests of green clusters (Rajabi et al., 2019, 2020; Sarabandi et al., 2019). Chitosan–GA complex nanocarriers have been used in various drug formulations (Esfahani et al., 2019; Rajabi et al., 2019).

The thematic map provides an overview of the distribution and importance of these research topics within the field, allowing for a better understanding of their development and interconnections. Thematic map analysis enables the localization of research subjects within specific fields by utilizing the author’s chosen keywords (Mendes et al., 2023). The present analysis categorized these research subjects into four distinct themes: basic, motor, niche, and emerging or declining (Fig. 8; Table 6). Using the Bibliometrix program, nine research topics related to GAR were extracted and distributed to the four quadrants, namely “gum acacia,” “nanoparticles,” “carbon nanotubes,” “Gum Arabic,” “Acacia senegal,” “stability,” “rats,” “microencapsulation,” and “lipase.” GA has been employed in the stabilization of carbon nanotubes in aqueous solutions. The employment of GA is seen as a viable strategy for achieving a stable dispersion of carbon nanotubes, characterized by a higher number of individual carbon nanotubes, through interfacial entrapment of carbon nanotube bundles (Bandyopadhyaya et al., 2002; Dror et al., 2003; Li, X. et al., 2018). Microencapsulation encases small particles or droplets in a coating to create small capsules with beneficial properties. Generally, it incorporates micrometric amounts of food ingredients, enzymes, cells, and other substances (Qin, 2016). GA has been used to microencapsulate various substances such as iron (Gupta et al., 2015), curcumin (Bucurescu et al., 2018), probiotic cells (Paula et al., 2019), and sunflower oil (Weinbreck et al., 2004). GA was used as an encapsulating agent for the microencapsulation of curcumin using a spray-drying technique. The researchers found that the type of microparticles obtained remained consistent regardless of the amount of gum Arabic used, and the addition of curcumin and oil did not impact the microparticles’ structure. This led to the conclusion that the encapsulating agent, gum Arabic, was primarily responsible for the morphological characteristics of the microparticles (Bucurescu et al., 2018). Similar findings were reported by other studies using gum Arabic for microencapsulation of vitamin A (Gonçalves et al., 2017).

The antioxidant properties of GA are found in many clusters in the conceptual map of GAR (Table 6) due to its multiple uses from a medicinal or industrial perspective. GA has been found to possess antioxidant properties in various studies. Some studies have highlighted its antioxidant effects by evaluating its ability to stabilize and enhance the antioxidant activities of other compounds. For example, Kong et al. (2014) demonstrated that GA can stabilize selenium nanoparticles, which showed antioxidant activity in vitro. Mirghani et al. (2018) investigated the antioxidant activity of GA groups and reported significant antioxidant activities. Addai et al. (2013) studied the effect of GA on papaya fruit quality and antioxidant properties during cold storage and observed positive effects on antioxidant activity. Ali et al. (2013) found that GA maintained total antioxidant and phenolic content in tomatoes during storage when used as an edible coating. These studies suggest that GA exhibits antioxidant properties and can contribute to the preservation and enhancement of antioxidant activity in various applications.

Extensive research has been carried out on the interaction between lipase enzymes and GA, as indicated by the thematic map of GAR identifying “Lipase” as a niche theme. These studies have contributed to our understanding of how GA affects lipase enzymes, including their activity, stability, and behavior at interfaces. Several studies have explored the interaction between lipase enzymes and GA (Andrea et al., 2016; Tiss et al., 2001, 2002; Yao et al., 2013). One study focused on microencapsulating lipase and savinase enzymes using spray drying with GA as the wall material. The research demonstrated successful encapsulation, indicating that GA can protect and preserve enzymatic activity effectively. Other studies investigated the interfacial binding and activity of lipases at the lipid-water interface, particularly emphasizing the effects of GA and surface pressure. Findings suggested that GA can modulate lipase behavior at interfaces, potentially influencing their enzymatic performance. Additionally, the impact of GA on lipase interfacial binding and activity was explored in another study, revealing its ability to affect lipase behavior at the lipid-water interface. Lastly, the research examined the influence of surfactants on the lipase digestibility of GA-stabilized oil-in-water emulsions, demonstrating that surfactants can alter the digestibility of these emulsions by lipase enzymes. These studies contribute to our understanding of the relationship between lipase enzymes and GA, highlighting potential applications in microencapsulation, modulation of lipase activity, and the influence of surfactants on emulsion digestibility.

‘Ultrasound,’ ‘Pickering emulsion,’ ‘sensory evaluation,’ ‘bioactive compounds,’ ‘cytotoxicity,’ ‘green synthesis,’ ‘antioxidant activity,’ ‘freeze drying,’ and ‘curcumin’ are the topic of interest in GAR. Ultrasound, a burgeoning nonthermal processing physical technology, has been extensively applied in several research domains owing to its unique attributes, such as dynamic agitation, cavitation, heating, shear stresses, and turbulence (Liang et al., 2021). Ultrasound has been reported to improve the colloidal stability (da Silva et al., 2019) and encapsulation efficiency (Liu et al., 2022) of GA. The present study aligns with prior research, as outlined by Khadhraoui and his co-authors in their comprehensive review, which underscored the promising capabilities of ultrasound techniques as an emerging technology and a valuable tool for food processing (Khadhraoui et al., 2021). Moreover, the present study also revealed that research on Pickering emulsions is also trending. Pickering emulsions refer to the configuration of two fluids incapable of mixing and upheld by the presence of solid particles of either organic or inorganic nature. These particulate solids, characterized by specific sizes and suitable surface-wetting properties, are viable substitutes for traditional emulsifying agents (de Carvalho-Guimarães et al., 2022). As stabilizers, Pickering emulsions were prepared using zein/Gum Arabic nanoparticles (Li J. et al., 2018).

GAR has undergone fascinating evolution (Fig. 9), shifting from early explorations of Acacia species and dietary fiber to a deeper understanding of its functional properties and diverse applications. Initially, scientists focused on the botanical origins and basic characteristics of GA, recognizing its potential as a prebiotic dietary fiber (Islam et al., 1997; Osman et al., 1993; Phillips, 1998; Salyers et al., 1977; Snowden et al., 1987; Weaver, 1916;). Subsequent research focused on its functional properties in food and pharmaceuticals, highlighting its ability to stabilize emulsions, encapsulate ingredients, and act as a natural gelling agent (Weinbreck et al., 2004; Bandyopadhyaya et al., 2002; Dror et al., 2003). The 2001–2010 period saw a focus on Acacia senegal, microencapsulation for controlled delivery, and the fundamental physicochemical properties of GA. More recently, research has focused on GA, investigating the relationships between its viscosity, morphology, and functional properties while also exploring its potential antioxidant effects in mitigating oxidative stress (Li X. et al., 2018; Kouhi et al., 2020; Versino et al., 2023). This dynamic journey reflects the enduring versatility and importance of GA, which promises even more innovative applications in the future. This quantitative analysis represents a pioneering effort in examining GAR, and the findings of previous qualitative reports (Ali et al., 2009; Patel & Goyal, 2015) corroborate its conclusions.

GA can contribute to new and innovative products and applications. Owing to its versatile properties, GA is widely used in the food and beverage industry as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickening agent. In the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors, GA shows promise in drug delivery systems and as a source of prebiotic fibers for functional foods and dietary supplements. In addition, their film-forming, moisturizing, and texturizing properties make them suitable for use in cosmetics and personal care products. Furthermore, GA has applications in industrial sectors such as inks, paints, adhesives, and coatings because of its binding and stabilizing qualities (Ozturk et al., 2015; Rajabi et al., 2019; Sarabandi et al., 2019; Snowden et al., 1987). As research and technology progress, collaborative efforts between researchers, industry, and stakeholders can further explore the potential of GA, leading to the development of new and exciting products that meet evolving consumer needs and market demands. Beyond these established applications, GA holds significant potential for developing new and innovative products in various fields. Its unique properties and versatility make it a valuable material for multiple applications, including bio-based plastics, nanoparticles, textile coatings, 3D printing, encapsulation of bioactive compounds, adhesives and binders, edible films and coatings, and aroma carriers (Kouhi et al., 2020; Versino et al., 2023). These examples demonstrate the potential of GA as versatile and sustainable materials for developing innovative products and applications in various industries. As research continues to explore the unique properties and functionalities of GA, its applications are likely to increase, leading to breakthrough innovations and advancements in various fields.

This study acknowledges the limitations of using Scopus as a single data source for bibliometric analysis. This study recommends incorporating multiple databases and sources to mitigate these limitations for a more comprehensive analysis. Although studies in languages other than English were excluded, this study still offers valuable information on the conceptual history of the field. Using tools such as VOSviewer and the Bibliometrix presented little methodological challenges. Still, it is essential to recognize the potential limitations associated with these tools, such as the learning curve, data preprocessing requirements, interpretation and parameter selection, scalability concerns, and the tools’ inherent limitations. Furthermore, self-citation bias and the underrepresentation of emerging topics can skew the results. The exclusion of self-citations and alternative metrics could mitigate these limitations. Recognizing these biases and limitations is crucial for accurate interpretation of the findings and a balanced understanding of the results.

Conclusions

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of GA research from 1916 to 2023, examining various aspects such as performance analysis, citation patterns, author co-citation, collaboration patterns, thematic mapping, evolution, and trending topics. In particular, using multiple analytical programs improved the accuracy and reliability of the findings, adding credibility to the study. A focus on English-language studies ensured consistency and accessibility. Regarding the composition of the analyzed literature, the study reveals that 88.63% of the articles are original research, providing a solid empirical foundation for the findings. However, review articles and book chapters were excluded to maintain the integrity and clarity of the analysis. Analyzing 5,313 original articles, this study reveals significant insights into the growth and development of GA research. A notable finding is the increasing growth patterns observed in GA research over the past two decades, highlighting growing interest and attention in this field. This growth underscores the relevance and significance of GA in various disciplines. Collaboration has emerged as a key aspect of GA research, and researchers from multiple academic fields have contributed to its interdisciplinary nature. It is intriguing to note the contrast between Sudan, the leading producer of GA, and countries such as China and India regarding research output. This observation underscores the potential for further research and highlights the influence of advanced laboratories and financial funding on research productivity. Although this study identifies chemistry and formulation development as areas that attract significant attention within the GA research community, it also recognizes the need for further inquiry into marketing, production, tapping, and processing. By addressing these issues, researchers can enhance the practical applications and potential benefits of GA. Furthermore, it was discovered that the publications with the highest number of citations were predominantly found in journals with high-impact factors and advanced quartiles. This study identified the importance of GA as a subject of scientific investigation and emphasized the need for further research to explore its applications and benefits. The strengths of this study include its comprehensive coverage, methodological rigor, identification of emerging trends, and practical implications for researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals. Recommendations include fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, promoting sustainable sources, exploring novel applications, and encouraging continued research and knowledge dissemination. By following these recommendations and building on the study’s strengths, GA research can advance, uncovering its full potential and promoting sustainable development.