Guar Gum

Guar gum also called guaran is actually the endosperm of guar beans and so extracted from the later. Guar gum produces a very viscous solution so primarily used as a thickening agent in food industry. India and Pakistan are its chief producing countries.

There are different grades of guar gum depending upon its particle size, amount of viscosity in a given concentration and rate of development of viscosity. The EU food additive code for guar gum in Europe is E412. Guar gum suppliers make all grades of gum guar and supply these to different industries.

Guar Gum Composition

Gum guar contains about 80% of galactomannan, 10% moisture, 10% protein and trace amounts of heavy metals and ash. Further the amount varies with the process of its purification, source and guar gum species.

Guar Gum Structure

Guar Gum Properties

• Guar gum is soluble in hot and cold water.
• It is insoluble in organic solvents.
• Gum Guar is an excellent thickening agent.
• Temperature, pH, presence of salts and solids affects the viscosity of guar gum.
• Guar gum is non-ionic and remains constant over a wide range of pH.
• It has a fabulous stabilizing and film producing properties.
• Guar gum has very strong hydrogen bonding property.
• Guar gum does not form gel like locust bean.
• It is an economical thickener and stabilizer.

Uses of Guar Gum in Food Industry

The amount of guar gum powder to be used in a particular food is defined in US. It is used in many industries and the food industry is one of the biggest user of guar gum.

• Guar gum powder is used as a vegetable and thickener agent in dry soups, sweet desserts, frozen food etc.
• When guar gum powder is used in dressing and sauces it increases its stability and appearance.
• In meat guar gum is used as a binder and lubricant.
• In bakery goods, guar gum increases the shelf life and texture of the product.
• It is used to thicken the dairy products like yogurt, milk and liquid cheese.

In addition to food industry guar gum is used in textile, paper industry, explosive, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, mining and hydroseeding industry.

Advantages of Guar Gum

• It is an excellent reliever of constipation as it promotes the regular bowel movement.
• Studies have shown that the with the guar gum ingestion there is a noticeable decrease in the human serum cholesterol levels.
• It is good for weight loss and also in diabetic diets. It is gives the feeling of fullness thus decreases the appetite. Diabetic patient must consult the doctor before consuming guar gum.
• Guar gum reduces the pain of gastric ulcer and helps in its healing. It lowers the production of acids and thus good for ulcer patients.