Author Archives: Ajit Patel

Hydrocolloid is a substance that creates a gel by making use of water. It has several applications in many industries like food processing industry. Hydrocolloids are very popular and are a wafer type dressing with agents that form a gel in an adhesive compound. It is a heterogeneous group of long-chain polymers that has the ability to modify the rheology of food systems. It affects the viscosity (flow behaviour) and texture (mechanical solid property).

There has been a rise in demand for hydrocolloid market which is mainly due to the processed food industry. Several statistics suggest that the hydrocolloid market will reach $108.5 billion by 2020. There are many applications in several other industries like pharmaceutical, mining, tobacco, textile, oil drilling, and more.

Importance of Hydrocolloid

Cassia Gum Powder is comparatively new food hydrocolloids. Caesalphiniacease is a wild crop found in several parts of the Indian Subcontinent and is useful to produce cassia gum powder. It is also found in several other regions like China, Indonesia. It is useful as a thickening agent, emulsifier & texturizer and has several applications in many different industries.

There are many applications for Hydrocolloids including that for medical treatment. A dressing created with the help of hydrocolloids has an ability to provide an optimal healing environment. The fact that it is moist and insulating is an added advantage. If a wound is free from infection, the use of hydrocolloids is very useful; since it allows the enzymes of the body itself to heal a wound. Some of the popular properties of hydrocolloids include:

• Waterproof backing

• Consists of gel-forming agents

• It is available in several shapes and sizes.

• There is an adhesive border which is optional.

It also has several applications in the food industry besides the medical industry. Some of the popular hydrocolloids are Guar Gum Powder and Cassia Gum Powder. The popular applications of hydrocolloids in the food industry include use as a food additive and health promoter. It has several useful properties that are vital to the food industry.

• Thickener

• Gelling Agent

• Fat Replacer

• Emulsifier

• Clarifying Agent

• Whining Agent

• Flocculating Agent

• Clouding Agent

Demand for Cassia Gum Powder

The global market for food stabilizer has been growing and is likely to grow further. In fact, as per several statistics, it grows at a CAGR of 4% by 2020. Ready to eat or processed food is becoming more popular and the growth of the global hydrocolloid market is likely to increase  demand for such convenient food. The food market in India and China are the main targets for such food items due to rapid urbanization and number more of working women.

Here are several statistics and facts that help understand the rise in demand for hydrocolloids:

• Hydrocolloids market has estimated to account for 8.8 Billion USD in 2018.

• It is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3% between 2018 & 2023 and reach a value of 11.4 Billion USD by 2023.

• Hydrocolloids are increasing in demand due to the rise in demand for convenience food.

• The change in lifestyle and eating habits of consumers across the globe is contributing to increase in demand of hydrocolloids.

• The people are becoming more conscious about their diet and nutrition hence this too has been a contributing factor.

• Although, food & beverages sector is the fastest growing segment that has resulted in  high demand for hydrocolloids, there are several other sectors that have also contributed. This includes cosmetics & personal care products and pharmaceutical industry as well.

• Some of the common food products that have contributed to the increase in demand are dairy products, confectionery, meat & poultry products, beverages, bakery items, sauces and dresses.

• The main application in food products is as in the form of an emulsifier, fat replacer, gelling agent and stabilizer.

• There is a steady increase in demand since 2016 and it is expected to grow rapidly till 2023. This rise is global and includes countries in North America, Europe and the Asia Pacific.

Thus, the global hydrocolloid market is on the rise and it is mainly due to the food industry. This trend is likely to continue into the future thus increasing the demand for hydrocolloids like Cassia Gum Powder.

Cassia Gum Powder is produced from the seed of a crop known as Caesalpiniaceae, that grows in many parts of India. It happens to be a natural gelling agent and has several applications in the food industry and several other industries as well. Cassia has several useful properties, it acts as a stimulant, carminative, and tonic. Cassia also contributes to the spicy aroma and taste. It is a natural pesticide for organic farms and is also very popular in the pet industry.

This article goes on to provide important statistics and facts about Cassia Gum Powder which makes it evident that it is in demand; as well as the regulatory information for different countries.

Important Stats and Facts

• Cassia Gum Powder market was valued at 10.1$ million US in 2015.
• Between 2018 and 2023 there is expected to be a CAGR of 6.7%.
• There is expected to be a CAGR of more than 6% by 2022.
• Dog food is expected to account for a fair share of the demand by 2023.
• The use of Cassia-Gum Powder has been approved in several countries in Europe, as well as China and Japan.
• This market is segmented into North America, South America,, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa.
• North America is likely to dominate the market share by approximately 30%.
• The other top regions include Asia-Pacific, Africa with Western Europe being last.
• Demand for Cassia is on the rise globally due to the change in the rules & regulations in several regions around the world. This includes countries like Japan, China, Europe, America.
• It tops a list of food stabilizers in Europe.
• There is high demand in countries like USA, Canada, China, Mexico, India, Australia, South Africa, Brazil and Turkey.

Regulatory information for Cassia Gum Powder

• Europe: It is approved for use in Europe as a stabilizer, thickening agent, and gelling agent for the use as canned pet food (exclusively for cats and dogs). It has been approved by the Europe Commission Directive (ECC No. E 499). It has also been approved for use for human food applications as of 2010. It has also been recognized for use as “GRAS” in food for a maximum of 2%. It has approved for use mainly in baked foods, cheese, jams, and jellies.

• Japan: Japan has also given the approval to use it as a food additive. This approval is by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as of August 1995.

• United States: It has been analysed by the experts in several areas to ensure it is safe to use. Experts from toxicology, pharmacology and food science have reviewed the safety of cassia gum powder for use as a thickening agent. This analysis has been conducted for use by humans and for the purpose of pet food as well. The review has received ‘GRAS’ approval (General recognized as safe). for food products. The approval for use as a stabilizer is still pending.

• Australia: It is approved by the Australian government to use in the Australian market.

The approval has been listed in the Annex of the Council Directive as approved by commission directive. The main purpose to the Annex of the Council Directive is to protect plants from any harmful organism as well as prevent it from spreading. This includes rules to prevent importing harmful organism from entering as well. The directive states that the substance should not endanger any animal or human health. In the case where it is found to be harmful to either animals or humans, it will be suspended for up to 4 months.

As per the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the tolerance level for pesticide reside of the foods has been set. Thus, if any food contains a residue it will be seized by the Government; it is also possible for the Government to seize the commodity if necessary. The product also needs to be approved by the National Toxicology Program (NTP).  Any product approved by NTP is safe for humans and animals to consume. NTP states that the products are scientifically tested.

Cassia Powder is derived from Caesalpiniacease, which is a wild crop. It grows in several parts of India as a weed and has many useful properties. It is a natural gelling agent and has several applications in the food and personal care industry. One of the other popular usages of Cassia Powder (Cassia Obovata) is for the purpose of hair treatment.

Henna is a plant whose leaves contain a red resin pigment. It has several applications like that for body art, hair colour, etc. It is also known as Mehndi. The way it works is the leaves of a plant are crushed and once the liquid is added, colour is released into the water. Mehndi is essentially a dye that is prepared from the plant Heena plant. This plant is known for several other names like Lawsonia inermis, henna tree, mignonette tree, and an Egyptian privet.

Cassia Powder for Hair Treatment

• Cassia Powder will not stain the hands while Heena powder will stain.

• It helps with moisturization of the hair, unlike Heena powder.

• Hair will get a very glossy, strong and shiny effect one using it.

• It is an excellent hair conditioner and does not contain any chemical preservatives.

• The entire process of application of this powder is much faster as well.

• It provides important nutrients to the hair and protects them against damage.

• It is effective in curing sebum excess, reduces shedding, breakage and helps rejuvenates hair as well.

• It is also very healthy for the scalp, is a cure for dandruff and heals irritation of scalp as well.

• This is a cost-effective solution for hair treatment.

• For those suffering from dry hair conditions, oily hair due to hormonal changes this is the perfect treatment.

• It is very useful for treatment of dermatitis, desquamation, psoriasis.

• It is useful to heal damaged cuticle and even prevents dandruff since it has antiseptic properties.

• Fixed split ends and smooths burnt cuticles which are generally caused due to heat.

• Strengthens hair structure and making it healthier, smoother and also reduced hair loss.

• It is a natural conditioner and also purifies the scalp.

• Makes the hair mineral rich and more elastic and improves shine.

• One of the major advantages being it does not contain any dye or colouring agent like chamomile.

Henna for Hair

• Henna is an invaluable ingredient to dye the hair naturally.

• It can strengthen hair and help nourish and condition the tresses from deep.

• It boosts hair growth and promotes hair growth exponentially and also reduces hair fall.

• Improves follicle health and is beneficial for the scalp.

• Makes hair silky and smooth, prevents dandruff and also helps with removal of excess grease and dirt.

• It has antifungal and antimicrobial properties to cool and soothe the scalp and ease itchiness.

• It is healthy, cost-effective and does not contain any chemicals

• Useful for split ends and damaged or dry hair.

• It helps make the hair thick and lustrous.

• There is no a lot of option in terms of hair colour.

• At times, it can have unpredictable results and some drying effect as well.

• It is time-consuming and can get messy as well.

The Verdict

Both Heena and Cassia powder (Cassia Obovata) are good for the hair. Hence if you do not mind a reddish colour and do not mind using a dye, Heena is a good option. But one needs to beware that it can cause dryness and loss of curl definition and stain as well. On the other hand, Cassia Powder is a natural conditioner, does not stain or add a colour shade to your hair either.

Cassia gum is a naturally occurring, vegetable-based carbohydrate. Comprising of at least 75% polysaccharide, cassia gum is primarily a galactomannan having mannose and galactose ratio of 5:1. It is grown extensively in tropical zones and has been used for a long time in Ayurvedic medications. Cassia is also used in Chinese medications for treating a number of diseases, such as- skin ailments, indigestion, and pain. Apart from its medicinal applications, it is also preferred for use as a gelling agent in pet and human food applications.

Cassia Gum properties

Cassia gum powder has a unique structure and it can be modified to generate cationic galactomannans with higher levels of cationic substitution. This modification produces 2 new cationic cassia conditioning polymers, namely-cassia hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride with significant cationic charge density. The presence of higher charge levels in cationic cassia polymers leads to the formation of coacervate. This coacervate is formed during shampoo dilution in the form of a non-soluble complex. The surfactant formulations with cationic cassia polymers exhibit a higher level of coacervate formation as compared to other polymers.

Summary: Cassia gum has a unique structure and is modified to produce cationic galactomannans with higher levels of cationic substitution. This modification leads to the generation of cassia polymers having significant cationic charge density.

Cassia Polymer

The cassia polymer is a naturally derived and multifunctional polymer that helps in efficient silicon deposition. It also imparts a different sensory experience and improved conditioning performance in hair cleansing.  Apart from being used to produce shampoos, the polymers made from cassia gum are also used in the formulation of other products as well, such as- Body washes, shower gels, facial cleansers, hair mousses, styling crèmes, and lotions.

Cassia gum as an efficient Conditioning Polymer

Conditioning shampoos are always considered as an interesting prospect since it offers the convenience of cleansing and conditioning in a single step. The formulation of this product, though, is a bit complex due to contrasting mechanisms. The shampoo must be designed in a manner that it removes and solubilizes the soil and at the same time deposits conditioning ingredients. This is achieved by coacervation. The anionic surfactants and cationic conditioning polymers have the ability to be formulated together to produce a stable shampoo structure. The polymers made from cassia gum have excellent coacervate formation ability and thus aids in producing such shampoos.

The main function of cationic conditioning polymers is to improve the amount of silicone that gets deposited on the hair during the shampoo cycle. These silicones improve the hair feel, shine, and manageability. Cassia polymers leads to an increased coacervate formation that eventually aids in effective deposition of silicone and other ingredients into the hair fibers.

Additionally, the cationic cassia polymers also ease the combing and improve the feel & detangling of hair in both the wet and dry stage. As compared to other usual polymers, cassia gum derived polymers are much more effective in providing such experiences.

Summary: Cassia polymer is a naturally derived polymer and is used to produce conditioning shampoos. The cassia polymers are considered to be a better alternative than other polymers as they exhibit a higher level of coacervate formation. The coacervation leads to better deposition of conditioner ingredients.

Air fresheners are used to emit fragrance in order to suppress the foul smell and make the space pleasant. They are extensively used in homes, restrooms, foyers, hallways, vestibules and other smaller indoor areas, as well as larger areas such as hotel lobbies, medical facilities, public arenas, and other large interior spaces. These days, a number of air fresheners are developed, such as- electric fan air fresheners, gravity drip hygiene odour control cleaning systems, passive non-mechanical evaporating aroma diffusers, metered aerosol time-operated mist dispensers, sprays, candles, oils, gels, beads, and plug-ins. Additionally, air fresheners also utilize organic as well as household items.

Cassia gum, due to its property of acting as a gelling agent, is used in producing air fresheners. These air fresheners are available in the form of gels.

Summary: Air fresheners are widely used in rooms, restrooms, hallways, etc. to emit fragrance in order to reduce the foul smell. Air fresheners are available in several variants- electric fan air fresheners, gravity drip hygiene odour control cleaning systems, etc. Organic components are also utilized these days for the production of air fresheners to reduce their side-effects.

Cassia Gum

Cassia gum is a high molecular weight polysaccharide comprising of galactomannans. The galactose and mannose are in the ratio of 1:5. The cassia gum powder is produced from Cassia Tora seeds. The seeds are de-husked and de-germed by milling and screening the endosperm. There are various mechanical cleaning steps which are taken in order to remove impurities from the seeds, such as- farm waste, undeveloped seeds, and stones. The splits are obtained from seeds by thermal & mechanical treatment and later these splits are grounded to form uniform small sized particles.

Cassia gum powder is soluble in hot water and on heating, fully solubilizes and reaches full viscosity in the aqueous solution. It is comprised of at least 75 % polysaccharide, which primarily consists of a linear chain of 1, 4-β-D-mannopyranose units with 1, 6 linked α-D-alactopyranose units.

Summary: Cassia gum is produced from Cassia Tora seeds and is a polysaccharide comprising of galactomannans. The seeds of Cassia Tora are de-husked and de-formed by milling the endosperm and with further thermal & mechanical treatment, splits are obtained. These splits are grounded to form small size cassia gum powder.

Cassia Gum as a Gelling Agent
Cassia gum is considered as one of the finest gelling agents, thickening additives, emulsifying additives and stabilizing additives. It has the ability to form firm thermoplastic gels with carrageenan. Cassia gum, when combined with Xanthan gum, forms a cohesive and elastic gel. Both of them do not possess the ability to form gels on their own. For its property of acting as a gelling agent, it is used widely to produce air fresheners. The cassia gum powder air fresheners come in the form of gels and emit a very pleasant smell.

The refined cassia gum powder has a high availability of galactose side chains which prohibit the gelling effect with anionic polymers. Hence, a hydrocolloid blend containing cassia gum is added in the food product in order to achieve the same effect as it is obtained with carrageenan or blends of carrageenan with other related galactomannans. Apart from the gelling agent, cassia gum is also used as thickener, emulsifier, stabilizer, and bonding agent.

Summary: Cassia gum has the ability to form firm thermoplastic gels with carrageenan and it is considered to be amongst one of the pre-eminent gelling agents. Cassia gum and Xanthium gum do not possess the ability to form gels on their own. Although, they both combine together to form a cohesive & elastic gel. Additionally, Cassia gum is also used as a thickener, emulsifier, etc.

The Bottom Line: Air fresheners are used for the reduction of foul smells or for emitting fragrance in a space. The cassia gum has the ability to form a gelling agent with carrageenan, Xanthan gum, etc. and is used as an air freshener. This air freshener comes in the form of a gel and is widely preferred.

Ayurvedic treatment has been going strong for ages and is believed to have a cure for number of diseases. It makes use of naturally occurring herbs for the treatment without causing any side-effects. The main concept of ayurvedic treatment is that there must be a balance maintained between our body, mind, and spirit to achieve good health and wellness. It is considered to be the most effective remedial practice that everything on earth must follow disciplined order of living for leading a healthy and progressive life. The modern-day medications do more bad than good as it generates various side effects on an individual’s body. As a result, there is a paradigm shift observed amongst the patients toward the ayurvedic treatment.

Cassia Powder

Cassia powder has always been a preferred choice of drug for ayurvedic applications. The properties of Cassia seeds like laxative, antibacterial, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, smooth muscle stimulant, hepatoprotective, analgesic, hypoglycemic, anticancer, abortifacient, anti-colic, antifertility, estrogenic, etc. make it suitable for treatment. It is used as a cure for several diseases like- kushtha (skin diseases), hridroga (cardiac problems), vatarakta (gout), raktapitta (blood disorders), madhumeha (diabetes mellitus), visarpa (herpes), jvara (febrile conditions), etc.

Summary: Cassia gum properties are tapped in to produce various effective ayurvedic medications. These medications can be used as a cure for diseases like hridroga (cardiac problems), raktapitta (blood disorders), etc.

Cassia Powder Ayurvedic Applications
Cassia roots are used for the treatment of cold and it is considered to be one of the most effective cures available. It also has the ability to act as a panacea for other ailments, like that of the kidney, liver, and intestines.

Other applications of Cassia powder includes its usefulness as an antibiotic. It is a good remedy for skin diseases like- ringworm, tinea, leprosy, scabies, leukoderma, eczema, psoriasis, and even acne. The anti-inflammatory properties of cassia gum are tapped to be used as an herbal formulation in ayurvedic medication. It is used in ointments which helps to reduce the swelling. Cassia powder is believed to improve the gastric secretions in our body which leads in the digestion of food. It also contains retinoic acid which leads to improved vision.

The bark of cassia holds great medicinal value and is used in various methods across the world. It is capable of treating diarrhea, cold, nausea, painful menstruation and flatulence.

Summary: The roots of cassia are very effective in curing cold and is also used for the treatment of kidney, liver, and intestines. The anti-inflammatory properties of cassia gum make it to be used as herbal formulation. It can also improve the digestion of food and helps in improving vision.

The Bottom Line: Ayurvedic treatment is enjoying a little preference over the modern day medication as the latter induces a lot of side-effects. Cassia powder, with its great medicinal benefits, is used vastly in ayurvedic medications for the treatment of diseases like- skin diseases, kushtha (skin diseases), vatarakta (gout), etc.