Guar Gum: Cultivation, Production & Usage 2023

What is Guar Gum?

The ground seeds of the guar plant (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba) that is finely powdered in the form of fiber are called guar gum. This product supports normalizing the moisture component in the stool as it absorbs surplus liquid in people who are suffering from diarrhea and helps in softening the stool during constipation. Guar gum can also assist in bringing down the amount of cholesterol and sugar that is present in the gut.

Guar gum in general is believed to look like Locust Bean and Carob Bean Gum. The appearance of guar gum ranges from white to cream and its powder and solution both are odorless and tasteless. The powder dissolves quickly in cold and hot water however, it does not get dissolved in organic solvents. Guar gum is marginally acidic in nature with a pH of 1 percent solution that varies from 5.4 to 7.7.

Characteristics and Cultivation of Guar Gum

Guar is an old crop cultivated since the ancient period. It is a rain-fed yield and is normally seeded after the monsoon season is over. In other words, guar is a drought-for-bearing plant that requires a balanced legume crop and develops well in sandy soils. Guar needs mild, occasional rainfall with heaps of sunshine that goes beneath the soil.

The roots of the guar plant can grow well in the horizontal direction as well. A few kinds of this crop have little hair on all parts of the plant while some have smooth or no hair on the leaves, stems, and pods. The appearance of leaves is like trifoliate (having three leaves or leaflets) and is manifested on long leaf stalks. The plants grow at a height of 45-100 cm and have small white flowers. 

The hulls are square in shape and 5 to 10 cm in length and every hull includes 5 to 12 seeds of oval or cube structure of varying size and color. Every single seed is comprised of the hull, endosperm, and germ components, usually in a weight proportion of 15 percent, 40%, and 45% respectively. While guar is being processed all these three components are split. 

Once the seeds are sent to the processing plant examined for removal of all sorts of dirt and broken seeds and are cleaned with the use of basic seed cleaning vibrators, electromagnets, and shifters. The powder of guar gum is made after the hull and germ are removed from the seed and the endosperm is ground into a fine powder. Dry grinding and wet grinding are two procedures used for dehulling and splitting the seeds. 

Usage of Guar Gum

• Food and Beverage Industry: Guar gum is extensively used in the food and beverage sector, where it is primarily utilized as a thickener and binder of free water. To elaborate, in the food and beverage industry guar gum is put to use in bakeries, processed cheese, soups, pastry icing, noodles, meat, dressing and sauces, and a variety of beverages. The product is predominantly used as it helps in improving the texture of the food items, increases the yield of the dough, enhances the shelf life, acts as a stabilizer, prevents excessive stickiness, controls viscosity, and enhances body and mouth feel. Both the producers and the consumers like guar gum as it is less expensive and a natural preservative. 

• Oil and Gas Well Drilling: The commercial significance of guar gum today is owing to its usage in oil and gas well stimulation particularly hydraulic fracturing in which extreme pressure is used to break rocks. The fracturing fluid is made thicker by using guar gum so that it can hold sand into fractured rock. Hydroxypropyl guar (HPG) and carboxymethyl hydroxypropyl guar (CMHPG) are the two guar derivatives that are utilized in the fracturing process. 

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• Textile and Carpet Printing: Guar gum stiffens the dye solutions in textile and carpet printing, which permits more sharp printed patterns that are required to be produced. 

• Explosives: For more than 25 years guar gum is being utilized in explosives as a preservative to dynamite for blocking water. The product has become the key gelling agent in water-based slurry explosives in recent years. Guar gums properties such as water blocking, swelling, and gelling make it a useful additive in the explosive sector. 

• Paper Production: The inclusion of a small amount of guar gum in the pulp improves the production of paper. It helps in the form of a fiber Deflocculent and as a dry-strength additive. Guar gum serves as a denser surface to the paper that is used in printing.

• Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: Guar gum is used in conditioners and viscosities, and as a thickener in toothpaste and shampoos. It is also used as a binder as well as to disintegrate compressed tablets and as a mild laxative and soluble dietary fiber. 

Interesting Facts About Guar Gum

• The generic names for guar gum that are used in scientific writing are Indian cluster bean, guar, and guaran.
• The cultivated genus is generally linked with India and Pakistan, where guar has been grown for several eras in the form of food for both animals and humans. 
• The Guar gum industry was established between the 1940s and 1950s in the U.S. The United States brought guar before World War I mainly as a green manure however it was not utilized in industrial usages until 1943 and possibly it was the primary reason why the product was studied to a limited extent.
• Owing to its gel-forming properties, guar gum demonstrates lowering impacts of cholesterol and glucose. Besides, its consumptions help in reducing weight and prevents obesity. 

Which Countries Produce High Volume of Guar Gum? 

The guar bean also known as cluster bean is an agrarian crop that is primarily cultivated in the dry zone of West and North-West India, Pakistan, Sudan, and sections of the United States. In India more than 850, 000 tonnes of guar crops are grown which is 80 percent of the total volume of the crop grown around the world. Also, 75 percent of the guar gum or derivatives manufactured in India are exported, largely to the United States and to European nations. 

In western India, Rajasthan is the leading guar-producing state, holding 70 percent of the total production in the country. In addition, guar is also popularly cultivated in Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and some parts of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Today, guar is also grown in various countries belonging to the southern hemisphere, mainly in the semi-dry areas of Brazil, Australia, and South Africa. Moreover, it is also grown in the southern zones of the United States that is in Texas and Arizona. 

Price Evaluation of Guar Gum in Few Regions

As on November 30^th, 2022, the prices for guar gum in India were INR 4423.43 per quintal (USD 54.45 per quintal).  In Asia Pacific, the price of guar gum displayed a curve change in the third quarter of 2022. The prices increased in the second half of quarter three due to the growing demand and a shortage of inventory. Guar gum prices were marked at USD 2110 per MT for CFR Shanghai in September 2022. 

Guar gum prices displayed an upward trend of the price curve with little fluctuation in the United States this was mainly owing to the heavy demand in contrast to the stored stock on the supply side. The cost of the product in September 2022 was USD 2450 per MT CFR Houston. 

Key Players in the Guar Gum Market 

• Hindustan Gum & Chemicals
• Jai Bharat Gum & Chemicals
• Vikas WSP, Ltd.
• India Glycols, Ltd.
• Shree Ram Industries
• Altrafine Gums
• Lucid Group
• Supreme Gum Pvt. Ltd.
• Neelkants Polymers

What is Guar Gum Used For?

Whenever you ask yourself what is guar gum used for, you should know that there are several different ways that it can help. Whether you’re a health nut or someone who wants to make sure they’re giving their body the best, it’s important to learn more about the benefits of guar gum.

Is guar gum OK to eat?

Various food products and pharmaceuticals contain guar gum. It is a soluble fiber, which can help to regulate blood sugar. It also helps to lower cholesterol levels.

Guar gum is a food additive, and it’s often used in baked goods. It is also added to shakes, soups, and sauces. It is most commonly found in powder form. It’s important to note that guar gum can have negative effects on your digestive system. This is especially true for people with sensitive digestive systems, and it’s best to avoid processed foods and packaged goods.

You should also be careful about guar gum powder. It can cause esophageal tears and small bowel obstructions. This is why it’s recommended that you only take a limited amount of guar gum.

Is guar gum inflammatory?

Generally, guar gum is safe to consume, though there are potential side effects. These include bloating, gas, diarrhea, stomach pain, and loose stools. Those who are sensitive to additives should avoid guar gum, or seek medical advice before consuming it.

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Some studies have found that a high dose of guar gum may cause gastrointestinal problems, especially in people who are lactating. In high doses, it can also trigger an allergic reaction. In addition, guar gum should not be used in highly acidic recipes, as it can lose its texture. However, guar gum is used in a variety of foods. It is added to shakes, smoothies, and sauces. It is also used to thicken dairy products, such as ice cream. You can find guar gum at most major grocery stores.

Does guar gum Raise Blood Sugar?

Several studies have indicated that guar gum may have health benefits. However, many also point out the potential side effects of this food additive.

One study found that people who consumed guar gum experienced reduced postprandial glucose levels. This may be due to the effect of fiber on the GI tract. This may help some diabetics. In addition, soluble fiber has been found to reduce cholesterol levels. In a small number of cases, fiber also helps treat irritable bowel syndrome. Another study found that guar gum reduced peak postprandial whole blood glucose in obese subjects. This was accompanied by a decrease in insulin. Moreover, guar gum also increased insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism. These findings indicate that guar may have positive effects on insulin sensitivity.

is guar gum bad for you?

Using guar gum as a food additive may be beneficial for some people. It can promote regular bowel movements, and it may help with some types of constipation. However, it can also cause problems for those who are sensitive to it.

The main problem with guar is that it can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. These allergies are often triggered by guar bean proteins. They can cause inflammation in the body and cause trouble breathing. Consequently, it is important to err on the side of caution when you consume guar. In addition to causing an allergic reaction, guar gum can also irritate the digestive system. Some studies have shown that it can reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and it can relieve the symptoms of diarrhea.

Guar gum industrial uses

Various industrial uses of guar gum include thickening food, making gelled explosives, and stabilizing beverages and cheeses. Guar gum is also used as a food additive to reduce cholesterol levels in foods. It is used in dairy products, ice cream, canned soup, and bottled milk. It is also used in water-proofing agents.

High-viscosity gums are required for deep oil well drilling. Guar has been studied as a potential substitute for locust bean gum in the early 20th century. During WWII, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Institute of Paper Chemistry, Appleton, Wisconsin, conducted research on guar. In 1953, commercial guar gum was made available.

Currently, the USA is the largest consumer of guar gum, with 45 thousand tons consumed per year. Most of the guar is produced in India and Pakistan. Approximately 90% of guar is used in hydraulic fracturing sites.

Conclusion:

As per the evaluation by Procurement Resource, guar gum is the grounded seeds of the guar plant (Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba) that is finely powdered in the form of fiber. Normally, guar gum looks like Locust Bean and Carob Bean Gum and is an old crop cultivated since ancient times. It is a rain-fed produce and is usually seeded after the monsoon season is over. Hull and germ are removed from the seed and the endosperm is ground into a fine powder to produce the powder of guar gum. The Guar gum industry was established between the 1940s and 1950s in the United States. Guar was brought to the United States before World War I largely as green manure. The guar bean is an agricultural crop that is predominantly cultivated in the parched zone of West and North-West India, Pakistan, Sudan, and sections of the United States.

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how to make guar gum powder at home?

Guar gum is a natural thickener and stabilizer that is commonly used in food and cosmetic products. It is derived from the seeds of the guar plant, which is mainly grown in India and Pakistan.

To make guar gum powder at home, you will need:

• Guar seeds (available in health food stores or online)
• Blender or coffee grinder
• Fine mesh strainer or sieve
• Baking sheet
• Oven

Here are the steps to make guar gum powder at home:

1. Clean the guar seeds by removing any debris or dirt.
2. Spread the seeds on a baking sheet and let them dry in the sun for a few hours or overnight.
3. Preheat your oven to 250°F (120°C) and roast the seeds for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until they turn light brown and fragrant.
4. Let the roasted seeds cool down and then grind them into a fine powder using a blender or coffee grinder.
5. Pass the ground powder through a fine mesh strainer or sieve to remove any larger particles.
6. Store the guar gum powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for later use.

Note: Making guar gum powder at home can be a time-consuming process and may not produce the same quality and consistency as commercially available guar gum powder. It is recommended to purchase guar gum powder from a trusted source for best results.

what is guar gum used for?

Guar gum is a natural thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier that is commonly used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and textiles. Here are some of the most common uses of guar gum:

1. Food Industry: Guar gum is used in a variety of food products, such as ice cream, yogurt, cheese, baked goods, sauces, and dressings, to improve their texture, consistency, and shelf-life.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry: Guar gum is used as a binder, disintegrant, and sustained-release agent in various oral solid dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, and granules.
3. Cosmetics Industry: Guar gum is used in a wide range of personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and creams, to provide a thick and creamy texture, enhance skin hydration, and improve product stability.
4. Textiles Industry: Guar gum is used as a sizing agent in the textile industry to improve the strength and quality of fabrics.
5. Oil and Gas Industry: Guar gum is used as a thickening agent in hydraulic fracturing (fracking) fluids to increase their viscosity and improve their ability to carry proppant materials into the formation.

Overall, guar gum is a versatile and widely used ingredient that plays an important role in many industrial processes and consumer products.

why guar gum price increase?

There can be several reasons why guar gum prices increase, including:

1. Demand and Supply: The demand for guar gum has been increasing in recent years, driven by its widespread use in various industries. At the same time, the supply of guar gum has been relatively stable, as the majority of the world’s guar gum is produced in India and Pakistan. As a result, any disruptions in the supply chain, such as bad weather or political unrest, can lead to a shortage of guar gum and a subsequent increase in prices.
2. Crop Yield: The yield of guar seeds can vary depending on various factors, such as weather conditions, soil quality, and farming practices. A lower crop yield can result in a lower supply of guar gum and an increase in prices.
3. Currency Fluctuations: The price of guar gum is usually denominated in US dollars, and any fluctuations in the exchange rate between the US dollar and the local currency can affect the price of guar gum. For instance, if the local currency weakens against the US dollar, the price of guar gum may increase as producers try to maintain their profit margins.
4. Export Policies: Changes in export policies, such as export restrictions or tariffs, can affect the price of guar gum. For instance, if the Indian government imposes export restrictions on guar gum, the supply of guar gum in the global market may decrease, leading to an increase in prices.

Overall, the price of guar gum can be affected by a range of factors, including supply and demand dynamics, crop yield, currency fluctuations, and export policies.

how to make guar gum?

Guar gum is typically produced commercially in large quantities using specialized equipment and processes. However, the basic steps involved in making guar gum are as follows:

1. Cleaning and Dehusking: The guar seeds are first cleaned and dehusked to remove any dirt, debris, or outer layers.
2. Grinding: The cleaned seeds are then ground into a fine powder using a specialized grinder or mill.
3. Sieving: The ground powder is passed through a series of sieves to remove any larger particles and ensure a consistent particle size.
4. Dry Roasting: The sieved powder is then dry roasted at a high temperature to remove any excess moisture and improve its functionality.
5. Grinding and Packaging: After roasting, the powder is ground again to ensure a fine, uniform texture, and then packaged for distribution.

Overall, making guar gum requires specialized equipment and expertise, and it is not a simple process that can be done at home. It is recommended to purchase guar gum from a reputable supplier for best results.

what is guar gum powder?

Guar gum powder is a natural food additive and thickening agent that is derived from the seeds of the guar plant. It is a white or yellowish, odorless, and tasteless powder that is soluble in water and forms a viscous gel-like substance when mixed with liquids.

Guar gum powder is composed of long chains of sugars (galactomannans) that give it its thickening and binding properties. When added to food or other products, guar gum powder helps to improve their texture, stability, and shelf-life. It is commonly used in a variety of food products, such as ice cream, yogurt, cheese, baked goods, sauces, and dressings, as well as in personal care products, such as shampoos, conditioners, and lotions.

Guar gum powder is also known for its ability to bind with water molecules and form a gel-like substance, which makes it useful as a thickener and stabilizer in many industrial applications. It is commonly used in the oil and gas industry as a thickening agent in hydraulic fracturing fluids, as well as in the textile industry as a sizing agent for fabrics.

Overall, guar gum powder is a versatile and widely used ingredient that plays an important role in many industrial processes and consumer products.

guar gum ncdex

Guar gum is a commodity that is traded on the National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) in India. The price of guar gum on the NCDEX is based on a number of factors, including supply and demand dynamics, crop yield, currency fluctuations, and export policies. The NCDEX provides a platform for buyers and sellers to trade guar gum futures contracts, which are agreements to buy or sell a specific quantity of guar gum at a specified price and time in the future.

Traders and investors can participate in the guar gum market on the NCDEX by opening a trading account with a broker that is registered with the exchange. They can then place buy or sell orders for guar gum futures contracts, which are executed through the exchange’s electronic trading platform.

The price of guar gum on the NCDEX can be influenced by a range of factors, including weather conditions, political developments, and global economic trends. As with any commodity market, the price of guar gum on the NCDEX can be volatile, and traders and investors should carefully consider their risk tolerance and investment objectives before participating in the market.