Amorphophallus konjac (Glucomannan)

Konjac Glucomannan is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide extracted from the corm of the konjac plant (Amorphophallus konjac), composed primarily of β-1,4-linked glucose and mannose units in an approximate 1:1.6 ratio. It is one of the most viscous natural hydrocolloids known, capable of forming exceptionally thick gels and films at very low concentrations (typically 0.5–2%), making it highly efficient as a natural thickener and texture enhancer. Formulators prize it for its skin-identical moisture-binding properties, its ability to form a breathable, flexible film on skin that supports barrier function, and its clean-label appeal as a sustainably sourced, biodegradable ingredient with a long history of use in Asian cosmetic and food traditions.