Capillary electrophoresis (CE) was utilized in the characterization of various galactomannans. Standards of gums were extracted with 50% CH3CN to remove the residual proteins from the gum matrix. Separation buffers were optimized with respect to pH, buffer concentration and presence of sodium dodecyl sulphate, yielding protein profiles from which the desired information could be obtained. Examples are given of the profiles generated by various gums and gum blends to aid in the verification of component presence, and to demonstrate levels of adulteration detectable under the buffer conditions used.