Guar Gum Powder as a Thickening Agent in Mayonnaise

Guar gum powder is derived from Guar gum also known as guaran. Guar gum is extracted from guar beans. The Guar seeds are processed mechanically using several procedures like debusking, hydrating. They are later screened as per the application to produce a free-flowing powder (off-white in colour). The plant Guar Bean is mainly found in India and Pakistan. A large percentage of this is produced in India.

This article goes on to describe the properties of Guar Gum powder, how it is useful as a thickening agent and the role of a thickening agent in Mayonnaise.

Main Properties of Guar Gum Powder

It has several useful properties that make it vital for several applications in many different industries. Its ability to hydrate in quick time in cold water and attain a high level of viscosity even with low concentration is highly beneficial. The fact that it is soluble in cold water and also provides full viscosity in cold water is also taken advantage off for many applications.

Here are the main properties:

  • It is an excellent thickening agent.
  • It is an efficient and cost-effective stabilizer and emulsifier.
  • Provides good texture, water-binding and prevents crystal formation.
  • Soluble in cold water but not in many organic solvents.
  • It has good film-forming property.
  • Possess excellent hydrogen properties.

guar gum powderGuar Gum Powder as a Thickening Agent

The fact that guar gum powder has good chemical and physical structure makes it one of the chosen additives form several food products. Its water solubility capability helps create a thick structure. As an additive Guar Gum Powder is extremely useful as a thickening agent, binding agent, stabilizer and emulsifier. It is useful for several applications and has there are many advantages of using it.

  • It can reduce the baking time.
  • Replaces flour in baked food making it easier to digest.
  • Helps increase the shelf life of food products.
  • Its excellent ability to absorb excess liquid makes it an excellent thickener.
  • It is optimal to produce low-calorie food and is useful in reducing oil content.

Role of Thickening Agent in Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is a thick sauce that is made from oil (it is also creamy), egg yolk, lemon juice, vinegar and seasonings. Mayonnaise is essentially an emulsion of two liquids that will not mix where the ingredients may vary as per preference. The method of obtaining an emulsion is to gradually add one ingredient to another while rapidly mixing the ingredients.

A thickening agent is vital for mayonnaise to provide necessary viscosity. The main aim of the thickening agent is to improve good texture; the benefit being it will taste better and help the flavour have a greater impact on your taste buds. As far as mayonnaise is concerned it uses an emulsion of fats and liquids. It is optimal for use as a thickening agent in mayonnaise.

The fact that it is gluten-free makes it the optimal additive. It is derived from the cluster bean plant and is more effective (thickening power) as compared to cornstarch or locust bean gum. It helps increase the viscosity without causing any other reactions or changes in other properties. Besides which, it also helps improve the suspension of several other ingredients, provides extra binding, good to keep calories low and is one of the most popular natural additives.

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Guar Gum Powder in Baking Procedure of Biscuits

Guar Gum is derived from the endosperm of guar beans (cluster beans). The seeds of a Guar plant consists of three main parts, the germ, endosperm and the husk.  The way this is processed involves removing the husks, followed by process of milling, filtering to produce a slightly yellow powder that is flowable. Guar Gum Powder is derived from Guar Gum that is native to the tropical region of Asia.

Important Properties & Applications

Guar Gum Powder is useful as a thickening agent, emulsifier and a stabilizer. Here are the main properties listed here:

  • Ability to hydrate rapidly in cold water and attain very high viscosity with low concentrations.
  • Soluble in cold water but insoluble in several organic solvents.
  • Strong hydrogen bonding properties.
  • Very good thickening, emulsion, stabilizing and film-forming properties.
  • Viscosity depends on temperature, ph level, presence of salt.
  • Shows resistance to oils, greases and solvents.

It has several applications in mining industry, petroleum drilling, textile manufacturing and food industry. It has widespread applications in the food industry as an additive. It is invaluable for purpose of baking. The benefit being it increases the shelf life of all baked produces mainly due to its ability to absorb excess water. It is useful in enhancing the softness and quality of bread, it also helps reduce time and effort for preparation of the batter. Besides being very useful for baking products it is useful for several other food products like frozen foods, the meat industry and pet foods.

guar gum powder for food industry

Use of Additives for the Baking procedure of Biscuits

Guar Gum can be used for many different baking purposes and there is a different amount for each recipe. For example, if used for bread & pizza dough recipes you need to add 1 teaspoon of guar gum powder per cup of gluten-free flour, if used for cake or muffin it is necessary to add half a teaspoon per cup of gluten-free flour. As for when baking biscuits it is also advisable to add half a teaspoon per cup of gluten-free flour that is being used.

Advantage of using guar gum powder is that it is odourless, easily soluble in cold water and is free-flowing. It provides texture to the flour and it also responsible for providing elasticity that ensures bread fluffiness and chewiness. It is very useful for purpose of baking especially for the dietary management of a diabetes patient.

It is very useful as a binder during the baking process of biscuits. The purpose of a binder is to bind protein and starch molecules to ensure a good structure is formed for the baked products. It is vital when using gluten-free flour since it can form a network. Using a binder can strengthen the protein networks in various flours used in gluten-free baking. A binder as the name suggests if the true glue that keeps everything in place and binds all ingredients together. A binder is responsible for keeping the biscuit in place and prevent it from falling apart.

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