Types of thickening agents

There are three major groups of thickening agents:

1. Polysaccharides
    a. Natural
        i. Acacia
        ii. Tragacanth
        iii. Starch
        iv. Sodium Alginate
    b. Semi-synthetic:
        i. Methylcellulose
        ii. Hydroxyethylcellulose
       iii. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
       iv. Microcrystalline cellulose

2. Inorganic agents
    a. Clays
       i. Bentonite
       ii. Hectorite
       iii. Aluminium Magnesium silicate
    b. Aluminium hydroxide

3. Synthetic
   a.Carbomer (Carboxyvinyl polymer)
   b. Colloidal silicon dioxide