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Daily Archives: July 15, 2013

Production, Processing, Export & Use of Psyllium Husk & Powder in India
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Psyllium Production, Processing, Export & Use in India

Psyllium is a plant or rather herb as most people know it. It is also known as isabgol, ispaghula or isabgula. The herb is used in production of psyllium husk and psyllium powder. Ispaghula husk seeds are indigestible making them a source of soluble fiber. Psylliums high mucilage content makes it a true dietary fiber. Psyllium husk is the covering of seeds that grow in the plant .Psyllium powder is the end product after psyllium husk have been processed and crashed.

Psyllium Husk - Psyllium Husk Powder - 2

India dominates the world market in production and export of psyllium husk powder. It provides approximately 80% of psyllium husk powder in the world market. India has the upper hand when it comes to isabgol because of certain factors.

•             India’s light soils and warm temperate regions highly promote the crops growth. The crop grows well on light soils. Soils with poor drainage are not conducive for good growth of the plant.

•             It also thrives well in warm-temperate regions with cool and dry weather and most regions in India are characterized by this weather.

•             India’s large farms of up to 55,000 acres promote large scale farming of isabgula.

•             The countries high population level makes it easy and cheap to obtain labor force required in farming the crop.

•             India’s heavy investment in building irrigation schemes has also helped farmers grow ispaghula on a wider basis.

In India, production of psyllium husk and psyllium powder involves a series of steps.

•             Raw seed are cleaned by mechanical processes through various steps.

•             After cleaning seeds from the cleaning and pre cleaning chambers, de-husking processes begin. The process consists of crushing the seed with emery mills and separation of husk in a closed circuit of an automatic pneumatic aspiration system.

•             The psyllium seed husk is then separated from the remainder of the seed by using slight mechanic pressure. The seeds are crashed between rotating rollers and plates.

•             Psyllium husk is then purified by sieving the mixture to separate the husk from the remainder of the seed part.

•             To obtain high yield of pure quality psyllium seed husk, there is intact milling of psyllium seed in a mill which causes the husk to be fragmented by collision under certain conditions. The husk is fractured separating non-husk portion of the isabgol seed.

•             Psyllium powder is obtained through crashing the pure husk psyllium.

•             The products are then packaged under total hygienic control. Packaging includes uncoated and coated Uv stabilized PP woven fabric without liner, HDPE laminated paper bags with inner poly-liner, laminated PP woven bags with inner poly, fiber paper drum and silver plated ring with inner poly-liner.

The end products of isbagula are exported to countries such as United Kingdom, United States of America, Norway, Italy, France, Korea etc. India’s ispaghula farms are spread in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are also catching on. In India, there are various applications of psyllium and its products for medical and industry uses. In the country, the plant has been long known for its healing properties and traditional uses. It is a major component of Indian medicinal herbs used in ayurvedic and allopathic preparations. Indians also use it in remedying constipation problems. For more details on psyllium husk and powder please visit: https://www.altrafine.com/psyllium_husk_and_powder_applications.html

Ajit Patel

This Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.

Psyllium Husk & Powder – An Important Product for Pharmaceutical & Health Care Industries
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What is psyllium husk?

Psyllium husk also known as isabgol is the white fibrous material that is derived from the coating of the seeds of plantago ovata which grows natively in India. The plant is hygroscopic and expands to become mucilaginous. The indigestible husks are considered a pure source of dietary fibre, and are the only part of the psyllium plant used in manufacturing psyllium products.

Psyllium Husk - 2

The psyllium husks are used in whole or dried and chopped or powdered for easier consumption. Whichever of these forms one chooses to use, they have to take them by mixing them with water or any other fluid.

Psyllium Husk Powder

This is the fine powder that is derived from the grinding of psyllium husks .It is pulverized from the psyllium husks, and is a natural agent mainly used to provide dietary fiber.

Regions where it’s Highly Grown

The plant grows worldwide but flourishes well in the middle east and grows natively in India .It also grows in Madhya ,Pradesh and in some parts of Rajasthan .Each of these plants can produce up to 15000 tiny ,slightly gel-coated seeds from which the husks are removed. Favorable conditions for growth include good sun exposure, less frost and in well drained soils.

Properties of Psyllium Husks:

  • The husks have high affinity for water and other fluids.
  • Psyllium husks are toxic free. They are not contaminated.
  • They are gluten -free so people who are allergic to gluten can use them
  • The husks readily produce gel through water absorption.
  • The husks are chemically inert; hence act mechanically in the canals. They are not digested and therefore cannot be absorbed by the body.
  • Psyllium husk is 10.5 natural fiber and doesn’t contain any preservatives or additives.
  • Psyllium husk contains a soluble fiber which helps lower cholesterol.

Nutritional Value of Psyllium Husk

Psyllium husks consist of about 30% mucilage, xyclose , arabanose and galacutronic acids. Additionally ,every 100 grams of contains 71 grams of soluble fiber. It also contains glycosides, proteins, vitamin B1 choline and polysaccharides .All these components contribute to the high quality of nutrition provided by the psyllium husks. Popular Names of Psyllium:

Psyllium plant is also commonly known as fleas seed, ispaghulla, psyllium seed, Indian plantago in India , spogel and sand plantanian.

Uses of Psyllium Husk for Pharmaceutical Industry

Psyllium is used in the pharmaceutical industry to making pharmaceutical formulations as a lubricating laxative, which is considered helpful in treating intestinal tract problems .

It is also used as a thickening agent during the formulation of capsules.

The psyllium husks are also used in the pharmaceutical industry for neutraceuticals , medicinal application.

How is Psyllium Powder used for Health Care?

Psyllium powder is known for its therapeutic and medicinal value. It is known to prevent and cure a wide range of medical conditions some of which include:

Reducing Risk of Heart Disease

Psyllium powder which is derived from psyllium husks reduces the risk of heart disease by reducing the cholesterol levels .The soluble fibers present in the psyllium powder binds with acids produced by bile which plays a vital role in the digestion of fats which are found in cholesterol . Through excretion of these fats this process helps in reducing cholesterol levels in the human body.

Relieving Constipation:

The psyllium seed powder contains hemicelluloses are used to relieve irritable bowel syndrome constipation and diarrhea and are used a a regular dietary supplement for purposes of improving and maintain regular GI transit.

Treating Diabetes:

The high fiber contained in psyllium powder derived from the husks helps lower insulin and blood sugar levels for diabetic people and reduces the chances of getting the disease for the people at risk of contracting the disease.

Hemmorids:

Doctors recommend psyllium powder which helps soften stool and reduces the pin associated with hemmorids.

High Blood Pressure:

Adding about 12 g of soluble psyllium powder to your diet helps to reduce blood pressure. In overweight people with hypertension psyllium powder helps reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Obesity:

Psyllium powder helps in reducing the human appetite. This can be used as a therapy for obese people who are trying to watch their weight.

Other psyllium health care uses include treating inflammatory bowel disease, treating diarrhea and treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Psyllium Husk - Psyllium Husk Powder - 1

Available Forms:

Psyllium is available in dry seed or husk form as well as pysllium powder form. All these forms need to be accompanied with lots of water.

Psyllium husks and powder are renowned for their efficiency in treating medical conditions. It is used both as a natural home remedy and also available in capsules that are available in hospitals upon doctor’s recommendation. Apart from its medicinal value psyllium is also widely used in the industrial and manufacturing sectors.


Ajit PatelTo know more about Psyllium husks and powder please visit: https://www.altrafine.com/psyllium_husk_and_powder.html

This Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.

How actually is Tamarind Kernel or Tamarind Gum Powder Manufactured in Industries?
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What is Tamarind Kernel Powder?

Tamarind Gum Powder (Tamarind Kernel Powder) - 1Tamarind kernel powder is a substance derived from the seeds of the tamarind tree botanically referred to as “Tamarindus Indica”.The tamarind tree is an evergreen tree that has its origin in Africa but is very abundant in the Indian region. The tamarind tree is drought resistant hence will do quite well in semi arid areas that experience minimal precipitation , the tree usually grows to a height of 5 metres but is also known to reach heights of up to 25 metres (80 feet). The seeds are contained in kernel or pods that are 3 to 6 inches long with each pod containing approximately 8 to 10 seeds. A full grown tamarind tree usually yields between 175 and 250 kilograms of kernel/seed. To know applications of tamarind kernel powder please visit: https://www.altrafine.com/tamarind_kernel_powder_applications.html.

How Tamarind Kernel Powder is processed?

Tamarind seed powder is produced as a byproduct of the tamarind seeds through a very complex process that entails the following:

• Harvesting: – Upon maturity, the pods or kernels are harvested from the mature tree

• Sorting: – The harvested pods are broken open to remove the seeds which are further separated by removing rotten seeds, debris, stones and keeping the good seeds.

• Roasting: The Good seeds are passed through heat which roasts the seeds; this process makes the seed coat brittle while having little effect on the endosperm.

• Stripping: After the roasting process, it becomes easy to separate the seed coats from the endosperm through a process referred to as stripping.

• Grinding: The endosperm is then milled or ground to separate the endosperm from the germ hence creating the tamarind kernel powder.

• Screening: The tamarind seed powder is further screened to produce the fine powder which is later mixed with a solvent to form Tamarind gum powder or goma tamarind in Spanish.

Composition of Tamarind Kernel Powder

Powder from the tamarind seed or kernel has some outstanding properties that make Tamarind gum powder or goma tamarind highly sought in many manufacturing processes. The gum from the tamarind seed or tamarind kernel powder is used in sectors such as textiles, paper making, jute industries, food industries and other industries as a sizing agent, thickening, souring substance and binding among other uses. Powder from the Tamarind seed will be derived from either regular seed or deoiled seed which has been pressed to extract tamarind oil. Components in the tamarind seed powder that make the powder from the tamarind kernel effect comprise of the following:

• Moisture which is about 7.1%

• Insoluble acid:-ash 0.4% (regular) and 0.3% (deoiled).

• Polysaccharide: – 51.0% (regular), 55% (deoiled)

• Total ash:-3.9% (regular), 3.4 %( deoiled).

• Crude fibre:-1.2 %( regular), 1.1% (deoiled).

• Protein:-7.6 %( regular), 19.0% (deoiled).

The above components are what give gum or powder from tamarind seeds the binding, thickening, film forming and gelling properties which are ideal in the various chemical processes.

Conclusion

Statistics show that the demand for gum or powder processed from tamarind seeds or kernel is on the increase as more industries crop up leading to the upsurge in demand. The increase is experienced both locally as well as internationally; this has led to people turning into tamarind tree cultivation in order to cope with the demand hence boosting production.

Ajit PatelThis Article has been written & posted by Ajit Patel.

Different Applications of Guar Gum depending on Its Properties
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The Ever Growing Need for Guar Gum Powder Turns It into a Global Product

Guar Gum or cluster bean is extracted from the seed of an annual legume known as Cyamopsis tetragonoloba. The seed pods grow in clusters and the plant is is extremely drought resistant and will thrive in semi-arid regions. It grows in sandy soil and over the years the plant has become far more disease resistant which has meant higher yields. They can be fed to cattle and are dehusked and milled to obtain the guar gum. India is the largest producer of guar gum products, contributing some 40% of the world’s supply, with Pakistan and the United States not far behind. Records show that guar gum exports have increased by close to 140% between April 2012 and January 2013.guargum

The Grinding to Powder Process

The cluster bean goes through a number of processes – the roasting-, grinding and polishing process. The gum is made from the endosperms or splits of the seed. When the seed is split in two, the hull and germ are mechanically scraped off to get endosperm. The splits are then purified and ground into powder. Throughout production care is taken that hygienic practices are conducted and that the nutrition factor is not disturbed.

The powder is sold as a whitish, yellowish odorless powder, available in different viscosities. The purified grade is used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, but because of its ability to bind water by hydrogen bonding, form films, suspend solids and control the viscosity of aqueous solutions, it is used in many industries. The grade of the powder will depend on viscosity, pH, active matter content, degree of substitution and granulation.

Guar Gum Powder Used in Many Industries

Guar Seed - Guar Gum Splits - Guar Gum Powder

The guar gum powder is nutritionally beneficial to humans as well as animals, but it is perhaps best known an an important ingredient as a food thickener and as a food additive. It is a natural food supplement with high nutritional value and is used broadly in the commercial food industry.

Some food products where you will find guar gum powder are noodles and pasta, ice cream, cheese spreads, breads and baked foods and flavored milk among others.

It is also used in pet foods and it retains moisture and acts as a stabilizer and suspending agent for veterinary preparations. It is found in nearly every brand of wet pet food, but you won’t find it being sold on its own on the shelf. In pet foods it is used as a thickener and gives the canned meat the right viscosity.

Amazingly the cluster bean is also used in the oil, paper, pharmaceutical as well as many other industries and for many different applications. Apart from being used as a natural thickener, gelling agent and stabilizer, it is also used as a fracturing agent. It is unbelievable that guar gum, used in the food industry, also has so many uses in the oil drilling industry and it is used as a drilling mud and fracturing gel in both the oil and gas industry.

Guar gum powder is well used in the pharmaceutical industries for tablet manufacturing. It is also an important source of dietary fiber, and in fact its high gelling properties have seen it being used in non-prescription diet pills, creating a sense of satiated fullness. The powder is also used as a thickener in cosmetics and as and emulsifier which reacts with oil and water and is used in the manufacture of soaps, creams and lotions. For more information applications about guar gum powder please visit: https://www.altrafine.com/guar_gum_powder_applications.html.

Guar Gum – A Global Product

Guar gum powder has so many benefits and uses which is reflected in the every rising export figures, and because of it becoming such a sought after commodity, it won’t be surprising to see many other countries joining in to try and grow the guar gum.

Ajit PatelThis Article has been written & posted by .

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