GUAR GUM
Guar gum is a complex carbohydrate that is derived from the guar plant seeds, primary found in India and Pakistan. Guar gum is actually a kind of polymer known as galactomannan. Guar beans are first dried, so that the seeds can be easily extracted out of them These guar seeds are then wet-dried and subsequently crushed to fine or coarse powder.
Guar Gum Properties
Guar gum is a very popular food thickener and stabilizer. It is used to bring about viscosity and thickness in a number of food products. Just like other food additives like coloring and flavor enhancers, guar gum is also a food additive belonging to the emulsifier family along with locust bean and the xanthan gum. But it is a better emulsifier because of the galactose content in it. It is due to the long polymer chains that tangle with each other in the solution and thus increasing the solution viscosity.
Guar Gum Uses
With its ability to suspend solids and bind water, guar gum has found a number of uses and applications in industries apart from the cooking industry. As a food additive, guar is quite popular as thickener and a stabilizer. Besides, it is also used in industries like cosmetics, textile, paper, mining, drilling, etc. Let's have a quick look at some specific guar gum uses in these industries.
Guar Gum Food Uses
Food industry obviously uses it as a food emulsifier. In bakery products, guar gum improves the texture, helps in weeping of pastries and mousse., works as a thickener for dairy products like milk yogurt and ice creams and helps in lubricating and binding meats and other frozen meals. Salad dressings and sauces also contain guar gum constituents.
Guar Gum Cosmetic Uses
Cosmetics industry uses guar gum, along with xanthan gum, as a thickener in beauty products like face creams, moisturizers, shampoo conditioners, toothpastes, etc.
Other Industries Using Guar Gum
Textile industry uses guar gum for finishing and printing of the textile productions.
Paper industry uses it for better sheers and denser printing surface.
Oil drilling industry for hydraulic rock fracturing.
As a binder in tablets for the pharmaceutical industry.
