Applications of Food Grade Guar Gum Powder/ Derivatives

In food Industry guar gum / derivatives is used as gelling, viscosifying, thickening, 
clouding and binding agent as well as used for stabilization, emulsification, 
preservation, water retention, enhancement of water soluble fiber content etc. Some 
food products in which guar gum powder is used are: 

1 Ice cream, soft drinks & concentrates, puddings 

2 Chocolate milk, flavored milk 

3 Pet Foods 

4  Bread, biscuit and other baked foods

5  Ham and sausages 

6 Soft cheese and cheese spreads 

7 Canned or retorted food of fish and meat 

8  Myonnaise, ketchup, sauce and dressings 

9  Noodles and pasta 

In frozen food products- guar gum reduces crystal formation; act as a binder & 
stabilizer to extend shelf life of ice cream
. 
In baked food products- guar gum provides unparallel moisture preservation to the 
dough and retards fat penetration in baked foods.

In dairy products- guar gum improves texture, maintains uniform viscosity and color

In sauces & salad preparations- guar gum acts as a water binder in sauces and salad 
dressings and reduces water and oil separation.

In confectionary- guar gum controls viscosity, bloom, gel creation, glazing and 
moisture retention to produce the highest-grade confectionary.

In beverages- guar gum provides outstanding viscosity control and reduces calories 
value in low calories beverages.

In pet food- guar gum forms gels and retains moisture, acts as a thickening, stabilizer 
and suspending agent for veterinary preparations. 

Pharmaceutical Industry 

Guar gum or its derivatives are used in pharmaceutical industries as gelling / viscosifying / thickening, suspension, stabilization, emulsification, preservation, water 
retention / water phase control, binding, clouding/bodying, process aid, pour control 
for suspensions, anti-acid formulations, tablet binding & disintegration agent, controlled drug delivery systems, slimming aids, nutritional foods etc. 

Guar gum is an important non-caloric source of soluble dietary fiber. Guar gum powder is widely used in capsules as dietary fiber. Fiber is a very important element of any healthy diet. It is useful in clear the intestinal system since fiber cannot be digested. This keeps the intestines functioning properly and also improves certain disorders and ailments. All natural fiber diet works with body to achieve a feeling of fullness and to reduce hunger. Its synergistic mix of guar gum and fiber mixture when taken with water expands in stomach to produce a feeling of fullness.

Guar production Areas

It is mainly grown in areas of India (Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab), Pakistan, Sudan, and USA. India produces 6.0-7.5 lakh tons of guar annually. It contributes to around 80% share in the world’s total production. In India, Rajasthan and Haryana states contribute 85% of the total production. In Rajasthan, the districts where guar production is done are Churu, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Nagaur, Hanumangarh, Jodhpur, Ganganagar, Jaipur, Sirohi, Dausa, Jhunjhunu and Sikar. The districts in Haryana indulged in the production of guar are Bhiwani, Sirsa, Mahendragarh and Rewari and the districts in Gujarat are Kutch, Banaskantha, Mehsana, Sabarkantha and Ahmedabad. Jodhpur city in Rajasthan is one of the major processing centers of guar gum in India. Various exporters and manufacturers export guar splits, guar gum powder and its derivatives all over the world. India’s export of guar gum has witnessed a 45 per cent increase between the years 2000-01 and 2005-06. The country's export of guar gum was 186,718.4 MT during the year 2005-06. The net worth of the Indian exports is estimated around INR 10.5 Billion. The consumption of guar seeds is largely influenced by the demands from the petroleum industry of United States of America and China. Guar and Guar derivatives are quite useful in the petroleum drilling and fracturing industries. The major importing countries of guar gum and its derivatives are USA, Germany, Italy, China, Denmark, France, UK, Netherlands, Japan and South Africa

important reasons to have Guar Seed Futures:

Uncontrolled and Uncertain Supply  

There is no Government regulation and restrictions affecting the Guar production and supply. The
price discovery is left to market forces based on the rainfall and acreage pattern.
Fluctuation and Uncertain Demand 

Demand from Domestic and International market is uncertain. The later depending on the crop in
Pakistan and US.
Homogenous nature with well-defined grades

The commodity has well defined grades and specifications for reference of trading and also to
facilitate physical delivery in cased if required.
Long storing period 

The commodity is subjected to long storage requirement based on market prices and overseas
demand.

Value Chain

The flow of the value chain for Guar Seed is as follows:

                                                                Farmer
                                                                    !
                                                        Agent (Mandi)/Stockiest 
                                                                    ! ............ Brokers   
                                                        Split Processing Units
                                                                    ! ............Brokers 
                                                         Powder Processing Units
                                                                    !
                                                         Industrial Use (local/export) 
                                                                    !
                                                             Consumer 

Guar is a rain fed monsoon crop, which requires 8-15 inch of rain in 3-4 spells and is harvested in 
October - November. It is sown immediately after first showers say in July and harvested around 
November each year. The crop yield is directly related to the monsoon. It requires a relative long 
growing season of 20-25 weeks.