Introduction of Guar Gum

Guar is a cultivated crop known to be cultivated for ages in India and Pakistan. The main component is galactomannan. It is also known in Texas (USA), Malawi, South Africa and Mexico in small quantities. It has been traditionally an annual crop sown at the end of July and harvested in November. Guar grows best in arid and semi-arid areas. It needs a sandy soil and spaced out rainfall. Western India produces about 80% of the Word’s Guar, Pakistan produces about 15% and others 5%. The germ is completely enveloped by the two halves of the endosperm, and it is the endosperm that is the source of the gum. The tough seed skin or husk is of a fibrous nature, composed of compressed thin layers of cellulosic material. The gum is commercially extracted from the seeds essentially by a mechanical process of roasting, differential attrition, sieving and polishing. The seeds are broken and the germ is separated from the endosperm. Two halves of the endosperm are obtained from each seed and are known as dehusked Guar splits. Guar gum powder will be obtained from refining guar splits. This is pure natural and green plant gum. It is widely used in food additives, textile printing, oil drilling, tobacco and paper making, construction material, water treatment and other industries.