Gum vs. Mucilage — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 16, 2023
Gum refers to the resinous substance from trees used in products or to chewable treats. Mucilage is a viscous, soluble fiber found in plants and used for storage or protection.
Difference Between Gum and Mucilage
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
One thing gum and mucilage have in common is their application in the food industry. While gum might be used as a direct ingredient in certain foods, mucilage is found in things like flax seeds and okra and is known for its potential health benefits when consumed.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
In everyday use, when people think of gum, they might envision the chewable treat that's enjoyed worldwide. This is quite different from mucilage, which isn't typically discussed in daily conversation, but is more of a concern to botanists or those in the food and drug industry due to its stabilizing and thickening properties.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Gum is a versatile term in English. Most commonly, it can refer to a substance derived from trees, which has a range of commercial applications, from food to products like adhesives. Meanwhile, mucilage is specific to the world of botany and describes a sticky substance produced by nearly all plants and some microorganisms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Gum also has historical significance. For instance, gum arabic, derived from the sap of the acacia tree, has been used for centuries in food, medicine, and art. In contrast, mucilage, which is often extracted from seaweed or specific plants, has been utilized for its emulsifying properties in various industries.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Comparison Chart
Source
Trees and plants (resinous substance)
Nearly all plants (viscous fiber)
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
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Definitions
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Gum
Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.
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Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
A thick, gluey substance produced by plants and microorganisms.
Okra releases mucilage when cooked, giving a slimy texture.
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Oct 16, 2023
Mucilage
A viscous, soluble fiber in plants used for storage/protection.
The mucilage of the aloe plant has soothing properties.
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Oct 16, 2023
Gum
Any of various adhesives made from such exudates or other sticky substance.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
The sticky substance on the adhesive side of a stamp.
He licked the mucilage on the stamp before sticking it.
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Oct 16, 2023
Gum
A substance resembling the viscous substance exuded by certain plants, as in stickiness.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
A watery gel formed with water and a soluble substance.
The flax seeds formed a mucilage after soaking.
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Oct 16, 2023
Gum
Any of various trees, especially of the genera Eucalyptus and Liquidambar, that are sources of gum. Also called gum tree.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
Mucilage is a thick, gluey substance produced by nearly all plants and some microorganisms. These microorganisms include protists which use it for their locomotion.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
Any of various viscous, water-soluble polysaccharides produced by certain plants, algae, and microorganisms.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
The firm connective tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelops the alveolar arches of the jaw and surrounds the bases of the teeth. Also called gingiva.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
A thick gluey substance (gum) produced by many plants and some microorganisms.
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Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
A gummy or gelatinous substance produced in certain plants by the action of water on the cell wall, as in the seeds of quinces, of flax, etc.
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Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
An aqueous solution of gum, or of substances allied to it; a glue; a liquid adhesive; as, medicinal mucilage; mucilage for fastening envelopes.
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Oct 22, 2019
Mucilage
Cement consisting of a sticky substance that is used as an adhesive
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
Any of various viscous or sticky substances that are exuded by certain plants.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
Any viscous or sticky substance resembling those that are exuded by certain plants.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
A hive made of a section of a hollow gum tree; hence, any roughly made hive.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
(transitive) To deepen and enlarge the spaces between the teeth of (a worn saw), as with a gummer.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
To apply an adhesive or gum to; to make sticky by applying a sticky substance to.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
To impair the functioning of a thing or process.
That cheap oil will gum up the engine valves.
The new editor can gum up your article with too many commas.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
The dense tissues which invest the teeth, and cover the adjacent parts of the jaws.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
A vegetable secretion of many trees or plants that hardens when it exudes, but is soluble in water; as, gum arabic; gum tragacanth; the gum of the cherry tree. Also, with less propriety, exudations that are not soluble in water; as, gum copal and gum sandarac, which are really resins.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
A hive made of a section of a hollow gum tree; hence, any roughly made hive; also, a vessel or bin made of a hollow log.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
To deepen and enlarge the spaces between the teeth of (a worn saw). See Gummer.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
To smear with gum; to close with gum; to unite or stiffen by gum or a gumlike substance; to make sticky with a gumlike substance.
He frets like a gummed velvet.
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
The tissue (covered by mucous membrane) of the jaws that surrounds the bases of the teeth
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
Any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
Any of various trees of the genera Eucalyptus or Liquidambar or Nyssa that are sources of gum
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
Grind with the gums; chew without teeth and with great difficulty;
The old man had no teeth left and mumbled his food
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Oct 22, 2019
Gum
A resinous substance from trees used in products.
The adhesive contains natural gum.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Gum
A chewable substance made from synthetic or natural resins.
I love the mint flavor of this gum.
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Oct 16, 2023
FAQs
Where is mucilage typically found?
In nearly all plants and some microorganisms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Is mucilage consumable?
Yes, it's often found in foods like okra or flax seeds.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Can mucilage be used in medicines?
Yes, it's sometimes used for its emulsifying properties.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
What are the properties of mucilage?
It's viscous, gelatinous, and soluble.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Is mucilage beneficial when consumed?
Yes, it's a soluble fiber known for potential health benefits.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Is gum used in the art industry?
Yes, especially in traditional printmaking and painting.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 16, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
