Author Archives: Ajit Patel

Commercial Guar Gum and its Chemical Properties

The gum extracted from the seeds of guar plant is chosen for multiple industrial applications as it contains wide range of properties which remains supportive in many industrial applications. The endosperm gum powder is purified under different methods before it is accepted for industrial usage. It is decided upon the reactivity shown by its endosperm when blended with different substances and components at the time of extraction and purification.  However, when it comes to commercial use, the seeds are sent for varieties of purification methods in which the natural properties takes a different turn through showing less ration of protein and polysaccharides contaminations. In some cases the chemical properties changes when processed under cross linking methods. The by-product obtained after every form of cross linking is chosen for industrial applications based on molecular weight and properties.

Some Prominent Ranges of Biological Applications 

Biological applications are the ones that remain favorable for consumer usage. These may be in the form of internal as well as external application that does not cause harm to the user. In purified form this seed powder shows reduced protein content which is the prominent aspect considered for biological applications including,

• Food processing,
• Cosmetic manufacturing,
• Pharmaceutical products such as drugs, ointments, etc,
• Therapeutic products, etc

As already discussed every kind of purification or processing is carried on based on its usage. As far as guar gum for biological applications is concerned, the endosperm that is processed through purification with substances which reduces protection fraction and helps to obtain pure form of biopolymer. This is then applied for the above range of usages.

Chemical Reactions that support for obtaining Biological Aspect of Guar Endosperm Powder

The seeds are processed for purification through different techniques and some are done by using chemicals. For example, purifying using Fehling Solution brings out excellent form of gum product that suits biological conditions. In addition, research specialists try out different methods by targeting over either functional or physio-chemical aspects of purified gum extract. Removing the impurities by using saturated barium hydroxide helps to obtain the above results whereas, Fehling solution helps to get much better and pure gum along with functional aspects including,

• Thermal stability,
• Rheological Parameters and
• Presence of low protein content.

This type of processing method is cost effective when compared to the traditional methods.

Changes Shown by Natural Polymer during Hydrogel Formation

Guar gum is a natural polymer and this natural resource is extracted to form into hydrogel. This product is them applied for its maximum water absorption even at basic pH values. However, natural polymers have to be processed under different methods to get rid of the several impurities. Once the impurities are removed, it would be beneficial to obtain the functional properties. The purification process may bring in changes in its chemical properties, especially in a complex biopolymer like guar gum. However, the presence of natural endosperm from plant seeds have been realized greatly for wide-ranging industrial applications such as thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers, dietary fibers, binders, etc

Conclusion

Guar gum is a natural polymer; therefore it contains several types of impurities. Hence, before transforming into gum powder, the extracted product is processed under different methods to obtain a suitable by-product that fits for particular industrial usage and the seed extract is also processed using chemicals to make it eligible for biological usage.

This Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.

Factors Causing Thickness

The rapid hydration property of guar gum when dissolved in cold water is the key factor that provided excellent thickening ability. The molecules of galactose and water interact and result in inter-molecular chain. This kind of reaction takes place when the particles are dissolved in aqueous solution therein transform the whole solution to become bulky. If the concentration of endosperm gum increases, the formation of inter-molecular chain also gets enhanced leading to higher rate of viscosity.

More viscosity in low Concentration

The natural polymer present in guar gum allows it to produce highly viscous diffusion however, this happens only when the polymer is added with suitable solvent. The presence of β(1-4) D-mannose and varying amounts of α(1,6) D-galactose side chains remain the strong feature that shows economic stabilizing and thickening property. The mannose to galactose ratio in appropriate proportion makes it easily soluble in water and to become a highly viscous product. Several research analyses have also been made to prove the comparatively higher thickening property of this powder with that of other seed gums.

Scientific Factors influencing Viscosity Parameter

Apart from research studies over mannose to galactose ratio, other factors have also been scientifically proved to highlight the disolving properties of endosperm powder. They are,

• Concentration of galactomannan in the powder,
• Concentration of molecular weight of endosperm particles,
• pH level,
• Temperature and environmental factors,
• Co solutes,
• Particle size, etc

Hydration Kinetics that supports for Scientific Research

Scientific research have been conducted to prove the viscous properties of guar gum were found to show the following results,

• Application of high temperature viscosity measurement to obtain thermal degradation of guar seed endosperm powder proved to have shown degradation at high concentration. In addition, the reversible time based thickening also changes in its property.
• When applied in lowest concentration, the change in reversible time appears to be absent.
• The heat and flow of this product also appears to degrade in its property when tested for molecular weight and gel permeation.
• Minimum 2 hours observation is required to see maximum thickness formed of dissolving and there is a strong link between the size of particles present in the powder and the rate of hydration.
• Guar endosperm with low molecular weight also appears to show increase in polydispersity at heat degrading condition.
• When combined with cellulosic and hydrated minerals, it exhibits excellent bonding. A proportionate change takes place if the concentration is increased.
• Solutions prepared by using gum powder at high temperature this endosperm powder reaches excellent rate of bulkiness. However, at the final stage dissolution done with cold water shows stable results than those that is done at high temperature.
• The desirable temperature to obtain increased thickness rate is from 25-40 degree C.

Conclusion

Guar gum is known for its excellent viscous property. It provides excellent results of thickening when hydrated at cold water. Though hydrated at high temperature also provided fast results, cold water dispersion shows stable results.

This Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.

General Medicinal Usages of Guar Seed Particles

Plant seeds were paid less attention usually, but, seeds appear to have equal properties which can be applied for different applications. Our ancestors were able to trace the truth that plant seeds give out wonderful results in many processes. Guar plant is one among them, where nuts have been found to bear large significance in several industries. When it comes to medicinal properties, this plant remains a good resource to treat prominent health issues.

Processing Seeds for Pharmaceutical Purpose

Processing of guar seeds differs when they are applied for medicated purposes. It includes the following methods,

• Endosperm is extracted first.
• The endosperm is them soaked in water or sulphuric acid to make it flexible for shedding the seed hull.
• The soaked nuts are then ground to completely remove the hull and the final product is applied for medicinal applications.
• In addition, the grinding process stays in accordance with the requirement of particle size.
• The particle size of endosperm was also applied to study the kinetics of guar gum. The Hydration kinetic study had been one of the primary sources that showed the gel strength of this product even when applied in minimal quantity.
• Researches and tests performed over hydration methods helped to understand the fact that this seed gum has increased absorption capacity over oil-water as well as air-water interface.
• The results helped the drug industries to apply the endosperm to obtain oral controlled drug delivery system. Therein, it was found to show potential hydrophilic carrier properties that further seed gum of guar plant protects drug during transit from mouth to colon.

Variations in Manufacturing Methods

Apart from soaking or grinding seeds, there are other manufacturing techniques including

Partially hydrolyzed through enzymatic process in which the chemical structure remains the same but with minimal molecular strength. The product obtained through this manufacturing process is applied for its foam forming, swelling and stabilizing properties. For example, the viscosity of this gum powder obtained through hydration process is about 10mPa in 5% of aqueous solution and it remains stable when applied at minimal pH. It is for this same principle, seed endosperm guar gum powder is highly recommended as a dietary fiber, as a nutritional agent and above all as a integrated food ingredient.

Application as a Tablet Binder

Drugs become difficult to swallow due especially when it is concerned with size and capsule formation with insoluble body. The natural properties inherent in the seeds of guar are the key factor that encouraged several research professionals to work out the same on easy transit of pills from mouth to colon.

How Drug Industry Benefits from Medicinal profile

Drug industries prefer this by-product to be integrated for its suspending, stabilizing, thickening and controlled release properties. When it comes to molecular ratio, it shows excellent therapeutic usages, such as,

• Hypoglycemic,
• Antimicrobial,
• Appetite Suppressant,
• Laxative,
• Hypolipidemic, etc

Conclusion

Apart from textile, food, oil and petrochemical industries, guar gum powder bears significant aspects when the same is processed under different methods. It has inherent medical usage for which pharmaceutical industry finds equal range of usability like that of other industries.

This Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.

Indian Guar Gum Business-A Global Focus

The origin of Guar in India can be easily traced back to several years however; this plant was considered mostly for its vegetation for the bean was used as one of the nutritious vegetable varieties. As technology helped people to explore into the usability of plant seeds, Guar bean seeds were targeted by several research people for the tremendous properties it exhibited for industrial applications. The research result was the main factor that lead Indian agricultural scenario to focus specially on cultivating guar plant in India as the climate and soil was found to be apt to obtain successful results. Today, India contributes about 80% of guar production in the world. It has been estimated that India has crossed nearly 2.7 million metric tons during the years 2013 to 2014, say reports.

Strong Roots of Guar Plant Existence in India

There are strong evidences to understand the existence of guar plant in India since the consequences of World War II where there developed considerable scarcity of locust bean. Locust bean seeds were processed and the gum extract from locust bean had been a great source of additive in textile and paper industries in many parts of the world. It was guar gum powder which was then replaced to fulfill the scarcity of locust bean gum as guar gum was found to remain an extraordinary substitute with comparatively more percentage of viscous, thickenings, stabilizing and emulsifying properties. The commercial face of guar gum with global market can be traced back to 1953 since then India has been playing a crucial role in cultivating, processing and exporting seeds and gum extract of guar bean.

Reasons Favoring Agricultural Sector in India to Grow Guar Plant over Commercial Grounds

• Guar plant grows in regions with moderate rainfall and temperature and it is a semi arid region like Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, etc.
• It is drought tolerant which is one of the favorable reasons suiting Indian regions mentioned about to grow guar successfully.
• Indian states including Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh also appears to share considerable amount of cultivation among the overall.

Serious Consideration of Guar Gum Business

The table given below indicates production profile of Guar plant and subsequent growth helps to understand the strong role played in Indian agricultural and processing industries.

Processing Facilities Available in India

Apart from guar cultivation, Indian industries also play a remarkable role in processing the seeds to obtain gum powder from guar seeds. There is excellent competence in Indian commerce when it comes to plant seed extracts like guar gum powder. Altrafine is one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of guar bean gum powder and other types of plant seed gum powder in India. We have the latest technical and research facilities to obtain standard and internationally approved genuine guar gum and supply to several parts of India. We have a big list of consumers from abroad for our processed products. One of the strongest reasons for our global popularity is that we directly obtain the raw materials for processing from farmers and hence we are stubborn about quality assurance.

Conclusion

Guar plant is drought tolerant and can grow in moderate rainfall. Many parts of India are filled with similar kind of climate where guar plants are cultivated sharing maximum percentage among the global production. When it comes to processing Indian companies stays in the lead position as they directly obtain guar bean from farmers these are the reasons which agricultural scenario of India contribute for popularity of Indian market.

This Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.