Food gums come from all over the world, from both the land and the sea.  For example, carrageenan and alginates come from seaweed.  Many food gums come from plants, such as guar, locust bean gum, pectin and gum arabic.  Some food gums are derived by microbial fermentation (e.g. xanthan) while others are synthesized, such as (cellulose gum).  Others, such as gelatin are derived from animal tissue.