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Trend Analysis of the Guar Business and Future Insights
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Guar gum powder is also known as guar flour, procured from seeds of Guar plant. Since many years, it has been cultivated in countries like India and Pakistan but to meet the increasing demand of guar gum powder, countries such as Brazil, South Africa, Australia and USA (Southern states of USA such as Arizona and Texas) started importing guar gum and its derivatives.

Why Guar Gum Powder is Trending Worldwide?

  • One can witness the usage of Guar Gum powder in almost every growing industry.
  • Visible growth has been seen in food industry, pharmaceutical industry, textile industry or oil and gas industry.
  • It is quite cost effective as compared to other stabilizers and thickeners.
  • In short, one can conclude that the Guar Gum powder has great importance in wide industrial applications.guar gum powder in India

Industrial applications of Guar Gum Powder

It is used and applied in various industries such as:

  • It is used as stabilizer, water retention agent and thickener in food industry and in other industries like pharmaceutical, textile, cosmetics, paper manufacturing and more.
  • Used in baked food, frozen products, dairy, pet food, feed additives and etc.
  • Used as stabilizer, thickener, viscosifiers and suspending agent in the oil and gas industry.

Consumption of Guar Gum:

Guar gum and its derivatives are consumedin different industries:

  • The consumption of guar gum is 20% in food industry.
  • Guar gum is consumed 10% in industries like pharmaceutical, cosmetics, paper and etc.
  • Major consumption is seen in oil & gas industrywhich is 70%.
  • It is used in oil & gas industry for:
  • Drilling in well, water and geological.
  • Reducing friction in holes which ultimately saves power and water
  • Removing drill waste from deep holes.

Trend Analysis of the Guar Gum Industry

  • 2014: A significant decline in the exports of guar gum was observed due to depreciation of Russian currency.
  • 2015: A notable increase in demand of guar gum was witnessed due to fall in the prices of guar seeds.
  • 2016: A bearish trend was observed in the market of guar gum as the petroleum industry cut down the usage of guar gum due to reduction in oil prices.
  • 2017: In this year, the guar gum was able to achieve its past glory as its demand increased due to demand of gluten free baked products.
  • 2018: Since in this year, the price of crude oil has been raised to a prominent level, the requirement of guar gum is booming.

Conclusion:

  • The demand of guar gum is seen to be fluctuating in economy.
  • he development of alternative energies resulted into stable rates of guar seeds, increase in price of oil and many favorable factors resulted into increase of sales of Guar Gum powder.

Future Insights of Guar Business

  • According to studies of a research firm, there is a significant increase in the use of Guar gum in the manufacturing of drugs as it is beneficial to manage health disorders.
  • The demand and supply of guar price not only rely on oil prices but also on production of guar seeds which again relies on natural elements and geographical spread.
  • With widening of geographical spread and awareness about guar, its prices are now moderate which has made it as feasible preference for purchasers.
  • The studies show that the global gum market would surpass US $ 1300 million by the end of 2026.

If you want to experience the best customer service, contact Altrafine Gums.
Altrafine Gums is one of the leading processor and supplier of guar gum powder since last 36 years.  We provide a wide array of products which includes Guar Gum, Cassia Gum, Sesbania Gum Powder, Psyllium Husk Powder and many more.

  • The prime objective of our company is to provide quality products after inspection and quality tests. We use hi-tech machineries to maintain its quality and enhance yield.
  • Our company has set the benchmark by winning the award of Gujarat’s biggest exporter.
Why India is the Major Exporter of Sesbania Gum Powder?
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Sesbania bispinosa / aculeate also known asPrickly sesban, is a legume plant which is cultivated in India.It is an annual plant that grows from 0.6 to 3 meters long and has a woody stem.The seeds of this plantare processed to get Sesbania Gum powder.It is used in various industries such as Textile, Oil, Waste Water Treatment, Mining etc due to its properties of viscosity and solubility in cold water.

Some facts about Prickly sesban!

  • The plant is used as a green manure crop.  A green manure is created by leaving uprooted or sown crop plants on the field to serve as mulch and soil amendment.
  • It is often used as major crop of crop rotation and hedge plant in paddy cultivation.
  • The genus name Sesbania is a Latin version of the old name “Sesban” of Arabic origin.
  • It is used as fodder, shade and hedge plant.
  • The plant is classified as ‘Least Concern’ in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Red List of Threatened Species(2013).

Sesbania Gum Powder

Reasons: India is the major exporter of Sesbania Gum Powder

Suitable Climate

  • India has a suitable climate which promotes the growth of Sesbania bispinosa.
  • Climatic conditions required to grow this plant are:
  • It requires hot and humid temperature.
  • It requires plenty of water.
  • It can grow in most of the soil types including saline.
  • Due to such favorable climatic conditions, it becomes easier for supplier to get Sesbania seed out of which powder is produced.

Modernization in farming by skilled farmers

  • With the awareness about the use of sesbania gum powder, the farmers started growing its plant as a major crop to yield better incomes.
  • When many farmers started its cultivation, the innovation in farming took place. It is truly said by Debbie Stabenow on modernization in farming: “Agriculture looks different today – our farmers are using GPS and you can monitor your irrigation systems over the Internet.”
  • The farmers are skillful and adapt new technologies in farming to increase the production.
  • The farmers have adopted Precision Farming which is based on Information Technology.  It reduces the some of the risk. Thus, it is environmentally sound and it can help to sustain natural resources.
  • GPS (Global Positioning System) and Geographical Information System (GIS) are the technologies used in Precision Farming.
  • It becomes easy for an exporterto exportsesbania gum powder due to its constant availability.

Availability of Infrastructure:
Indian Government has furnished farmers with a great infrastructure that has motivated the growth of Sesbania plants.

  • Input based infrastructure: The farmers are facilitated with Quality Seeds, Fertilizers, Pesticides, Farm equipments and machineries etc. to cultivate good quality yield.
  • Resource based infrastructure:They are provided Water/irrigation, Farm power/energy, etc to support the cultivation process.
  • Physical infrastructure: The excellent infrastructure of Transportation, Storage, Processing, Preservation, etc helps farm suppliers to supply the high grade goods in market.
  • Institutional infrastructure: The farmers are helped with Agricultural research, Education of technology, Information & Communication services, Financial or Banking services, Marketing, Export Opportunities, etc. to make their work hassle-free.
  • The Government encourages exporters to export the products by providing relief and promoting the goods.

Cut throat Competition

  • Often it is said that, competition increases the ideas and innovation as well as enhances the quality of the work.
  • Adopting new farming techniques has resulted into high and quality productivity per unit of land.
  • Gettingthe high quality of Sesbania Gum powder is necessity to fulfill the industrial requirements.
  • The buyers across the globe purchases Sesbania Gum powder of good quality at reasonable rates from India due to competition.
  • The company manufacturing this powder must maintain the consistent standard of goods and incomparable services to sustain in competition.

Global Demand of Sesbania Gum Powder:

  • The farmers cope up with the demand of Sesbania Gum powder by the sweat of their brow. The usage of Sesbania Gum powder is increasing and so as the demand.
  • The demand is more often from Oil drilling industry where it is used as floatation agent, in Food as additive,in Textile as sizing agent, etc.
  • Sesbania Gum Powder is emerging as India’s largest item of farm exports since 2012.
  • The total value of exports for the sesbania gum powder is approximately 4 million US dollars annually with a total quantity of export reaching over 2.8 million kilograms annually.

Why Aftrafine Gums?

  • Altrafine Gums came into existence in 1982. They are delivering quality goods and outstanding services since past 36 years.
  • They have a wide network with Sesbania growers who provide quality raw materials. They have excellent infrastructure and proficient R&D department which helps them to manufacture superior quality of Sesbania Gum powder.
  • Besides this, the company supplies products such as Guar Gum Powder, psyllium husk powder, Cassia Tora Powder, Locust Bean Gum Powder, Indian Spices & Seeds, Animal Feeds Products, etc to various industries such as Food, Textile, Tobacco, etc successfully.
  • There was always a huger of success which propelled them to explore and adapt new technologies in the company.The company received the reward for its hard work when it was awarded as the first winner of Biggest Exporters, Gujarat.
Top Five Benefits of Using Psyllium Husk Powder
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PlantagoPsyllium is a lenitive plant which is cultivated in India. Psyllium stalks contains very small seeds, which is known as psyllium. The seeds are covered by husk, which is used in foods. The husk contains glycosides and mucilages which are used in the food industry to form gels that give thickening and texture to the foods.

Curiosities!

  • Psyllium Huskhas soluble fibers contentin much higher quantity than in the oats bran. Every 100 grams of psyllium provides 71 grams of soluble fiber.
  • It is fat free.

Benefits of using Psyllium Husk Powder

Psyllium Husk Powder stimulates metabolism

  • The soluble fiber of psyllium husk regulates bowel movement.
  • It reduces the fat absorption from the intestine. It helps in removing the toxic waste through colon in less time.
  • Thus, it can stimulate metabolism and keeps one active.

It can controls diet intake

  • The intake of psyllian husk powder can create bulk in the stomach.
  • It keeps one full for longer and it discourages the snacking. Thus, it can control your diet intake and ultimately helps in weight loss.

It may prevent Colon cancer

  • It helps in preventing the colon cancer by maintaining an optimal pH in intestines.
  • It prevents microbes to grow cancerous substances.

It can cure Piles(Hemorrhoids)

  • Hemorrhoids are common health problem emerging due to unhealthy lifestyle nowadays.
  •  They are swollen veins in the lowest part of the rectum and anus which leads to pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
  • The fibers present in psyllian husk are both insoluble and soluble in nature, thus it helps to clear the bowels effectively.
  •  It promotes easy and pain-free defecation by absorbing the water from the surrounding parts of intestine.

It can help in treatment of Hypercholesterolaemia

  • The major risk factor for coronary heart disease isHypercholesterolaemia.
  • It reduces the serum total cholesterol concentration.
  • Thus, it has long-term effectiveness in the treatment of primary Hypercholesterolaemia.
  • It reduces the risk ofcoronary heart disease.

Recommended dosage of Psyllium Husk Powder

  • Take 5g of it once a day in 6.78 fl oz of water.
  • Drink it prior it becomes gel.
  • Make sure to add enough water in it so that it you can gulp it down easily.

Attention

  • Do not exceed the recommend dosage.
  • Do not take it prior the bedtime.
  • Store it in cool and dry place.

Conclusion

  • The psyllium husk powder has bountiful benefits due to its distinct features.It isvery often used as a laxative in the food industry. Withal, it relieves constipation, diarrhea and helps in curing various other ailments.
  • Thus, it can be anexceptional fiber choice to add to your daily regime.

About Altrafine Gums

AltrafineGums came into existence in 1982. They are serving the quality goods and services since past 36 year.The company is supplyingproducts such as Guar Gum Powder, Psyllium Husk Powder, Cassia Tora Powder, Locust Bean Gum Powder, Indian Spices & Seeds, Animal Feeds Products, etc to various industries such as Food, Textile, Tobacco, etc successfully.The research and development department constantly works on the product innovation and product diversification. This department makes sure to providegerm free products to its customers.

There was always a huger of success which propelled them to explore and adapt new technologies in the company.The company received the reward for its hard work when it was awarded as the first winner of Biggest Exporters, Gujarat.

Challenges in Quality Consistency of Cassia Gum for Industrial Application
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About Cassia Gum

Cassia Plants are widely distributed in tropical and sub- tropical regions globally and extensive research has been done upon, chemically.
Cassia gum have been an attraction point since many decades for many phytochemists over the globe. It has large and varied predominant genus of about 580 species of herbs and trees out of which 20 are grown and found in INDIA.

As we know, cassia gum is a flour made from the endosperms of seeds called cassia tora. It is mainly used as the thickening and the gelling agent in pet food industry and other technical applications which helps in emulsification, foam stabilization, texture improvement and more.
There are varied other industrial applications as thickener, gelling agent, emulsifier, bonding agent and etc. respectively.

  • Pet Food Industry for Dog & Cat
  • Cattle & Poultry Feed
  • Dairy Products
  • Cosmetics
  • Food Industry

It becomes extremely significant to choose the right manufacturer and exporter for cassia gum as one needs to have consistency in quality of the product.

  • There Are Few Challenges Faced for Industrial Application

The challenges faced by the buyers are:

  • Consistency in quality & quantity.
  • Advanced infrastructure andresearch & development.
  • Certifications of safety.
  • Why it’s important to maintain quality and quantity of cassia gum?

Any industry’s success lies in the supply of quality products to their esteem customers. The biggest challenge of all time for industrial application is to get qualitative and quantitative consistencyof cassia gum and derivatives to the buyers for production.

  • As said, cassia gum is being utilized in varied industries, so these industries have certain fix requirement and criteria for it.
  • Sometimes these industries also orders more quantity of cassia gum and in different variations.
  • To deliver manufactured commodity on time and during market demand, it is statutory and prominent to get cassia gum derivatives in required quantity without any hindrance and same quality every time.
  • Let’s say, if cosmetic company is manufacturing and delivering products which have inconsistency in quality, the market demand for the company’s product would reduce and will lead to low profits and success.
  • Hygiene in the manufacturing unit and adequate packaging methodology during supplying and exporting to buyers have the major influence to product grade which is another big challenge.

 

The most important factor that is being faced is the supply of the product in adequate and required quantity maintaining hygienic and customised packaging methodology.

  • Sometimes, it happens that the manufacturer face the shortage of cassia gum or its derivatives during production process and then production gets on hold.
  • Let’s say, if a pet food manufacturer face the shortage of cassia gum, the whole production gets delayed and so do the supply in the market.
  • It becomes sometimes really difficult to find companies with proper production capacity to receive product in bulk for desired end result.

Companies with small production unit find constraints to fulfil the orders and demand.

  • Advance Infrastructure and Research & Development

It’s vital to check the technological advancement of the infrastructure of cassia gum companies and also important to have a gist, if the company comprises research & development centre.
Before, ordering cassia gum and it derivatives, buyer needs to check the infrastructure of the unit owned by the supplier and manufacturer. There are few checklist for the same.

  • One shall know, if the unit is following hygiene standards.
  • Technological advancement is must – see factor.
  • Do the company have quality assurance team!
  • Whether packaging standard are maintained.
  • Important to check new identification and development of methodology.

Other factors that is important to check to overcome challenges of utilizing cassia gum.

  • Cassia gum manufacturing companies should have CGMP and SSOP assured standards.
  • Vital aspect to check is that, the companies shall be receiving raw material to produce cassia gum derivatives from the suppliers, who are having adequate soil conditions in the farm.
  • Transportation facilities shall adhere adequate hygiene regulations.
  • Certifications Check

Certainly, there are various companies who do not have required certifications and that becomes the major challenge for the buyers. Hence, this can be overcome and here are the insights of few from various certification cassia gum and derivatives manufacturers and suppliers shall have.
Few of many certifications cassia gum exporters and manufacturers shall obtained.

  • BRC Certifications- proof of safety, quality and other operational criteria. This certificate makes sure that the company of supplier is out of legal liabilities.
  • FSSC 22000 Certifications – it is global certification, required to be obtained by companies manufacturing food products.
  • FAMI QS Certifications – it is global certification, required to be obtained by companies manufacturing feed products.
  • Conclusion

Looking and considering the above factors, it is crucial to choose the right cassia gum and its derivatives manufacturer, exporter and supplier.
Altrafine Gums is absolutely authentic export oriented unit that manufactures and supplies cassia gum and its derivatives. Altrafine adheres all the regulations, maintain hygienic infrastructure and have huge production capacity that helps in consistent supply of qualitative cassia gum and have active research and development department.

Altrafine gums are in this industry since more than 36 years and have been awarded Gujarat, INDIA’s biggest exporter.

Guar Gum Powder Effect in Low Fat Meat Diet as Fat Replacer
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Meat is one of the significant food comprising the nutritious values targeting health and well balanced diet as it has high source of proteins, vitamins and minerals. It has also become a pivotal part of human evolution. Initially, meat and its product consumption was high due to low cost, pleasant flavor and varied meat food types.

However, the time is changing and people are demanding more of healthy, low fat and natural food products which also includes meat diet containing high nutritious values and low fat. Though meat has been one of the dominant food, serious health risks has also been analyzed due to its consumption.

Seeing its certain health risks, using vegetal fat and guar gum is considered to improve the nutritional quality of meat and its products. These strategy has been implemented to reduce saturated fatty acid and increase polyunsaturated level which will help preventing health risk and heart disease.

Effect of using Guar Gum

While formulation, replacing and reducing the animal fat by vegetal fat, there is visible modifications in binding properties of water and fat. The change includes emulsion stability, texture and color. This behavior occurs as fat is replaced by water.

Nevertheless, when sodium alginate and guar gum is added to the formulation there is a reduction in fluid release.  Adding guar gum and sodium alginate along with other formulation has impacted a change in its texture, chewiness, hardness and color.

Analysis after using guar gum

After using guar gum with other formulations to create low fat meat, certain analysis has been done from the samples of the meat. Meat containing guar gum had high protein and moisture content and lower in fat content comparatively.

It has been analyzed that using guar gum reduces the ash content and it has been noted that, if it is used up-to 1.5% in the formulation, the ash content would be the lowest.

The test of the moisture retention in the meat is very much important in the cooking parameters. The more guar gum is used during the formulation, moisture content is retained on higher ratio as the quantity of water added combined with guar gum powder leads to proper binding ability.

There was another aspect examined during research and testing. Due to the reduction of content and ratio of fat and using guar gum, there is a significant decrease in yellowness of the meat. These examination and conclusion came out in front, with various research done.

Reduction in fat content with moisture increase, directly impacted on the hardness of the meat food. Use of guar gum have impacted on the textural properties of the meat and it hardness too. Change is also noted in its springiness. But it is considered that the increase in springiness with higher gum level might be due to gel formed with increased water level.

However, if the guar gum content is 1.5% then, it can reduce the gumminess and chewiness of the meat food. So this states, that more use of guar gum leads to better formulation and production of low fat meat diet.

Conclusion

Based on various research done by many scholars, it is concluded that the use of guar gum to partially replacement of fat in the meat diet can helps to produce and develop healthier meat and various meat diets. Use of guar gum in low fat formulation leads to higher emulsion stability and cooking, helps in creating economically profitable product.

Choosing Altrafine Gums!

Established in the year 1982, we have gradually outgrown our business wide. We are always focusing on in-depth research and development. Our team is qualified and are updated with latest technologies. We produce guar gum products after undergoing extensive research of its benefits and there applications. We take utmost care of testing and quality parameters.

 

Cassia Gum is Safe for use as Feed Additives in Cats and Dogs
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Safety Aspects in Cassia Gum as a Feed Additive in Dogs and Cats

Cassia gum is a food additive produced from endosperm of Senna obtusifolia is also known as cassia tora. It is widely demanded and used as food additives in pet food industry. Today, companies are considering cassia gum significantly in their products as food additives in pet food like food for dogs and cats.
It is used as a gelling agent like stabilizer or thickening agent. Cassia gum has varied applications like stabilization, emulsification, and for retaining moisture and more. Usage of cassia gum for cat and dog food includes wet/ canned food, semi- moist food, and dry food.

Brief of de- husking Cassia Tora Gum Seeds

Here, brief explanation is given on the splitting procedure of cassia tora gum seeds. These seeds are heated for some time as husk and germs are sensitive towards the heat and they become fragile, yet the split remains intact. Mechanical stress grind these husks and germs and are separated.

Utilization of Cassia Gum Powder

Manufacturers of Cassia Gum cleans the material due to which naturally occurring contamination is reduced. Cassia gum manufacturer also de-husk and de-germ the material by thermal mechanical treatment followed by milling and screening endosperm.

Further these splits are manually cleaned from the germs that are still stuck. This is briefing of the process although it contains quite a long methodology to clean and make it completely safe.

Research Conclusion

Various research is taking place to make sure that cassia gum is safe for feed additives in dogs and cats food.

  1. The research done turned out to be acceptable as positive findings were observed in mutation test for bacteria with semi refined cassia gum.
  2. Extensive test was done for 90 days in dogs and cats by providing them diet containing cassia gum.

It has been concluded that semi-refined purified cassia gum sets in the frame of cassia tora gum used as food additives which is considered safe to use in food for pets like dogs and cats.

Global Market Demand

According to the latest market report, cassia gum market is expected to increase and expand. There are certain key macro- economic signals and measures that are directly impacting and influencing consumption of cassia gum globally.

Basically, cassia gum was used as a substitute and an alternative of guar gum as there was limited research done. Now gradually, awareness is increasing so does the research and development activities are taking place.

Nevertheless, once regulation approves the usage of cassia gum all over the world, its demand would increase globally. The use and application of cassia gum is targeted to pet food industry like dog and cat food, and also animal feed. This also includes various other food areas like baby food, dairy and many more.
It is important to adhere guidelines and standards crucially to supply and use cassia gum in any form, be the buyer is national or international. India considered to be the major producer of cassia gum and major contributor of the supplier.

Market of Cassia gum has been forecasted for high growth in the manufacturing industry which is segmented into cosmetics, paper, textile, chemical processing and more.

Technical Specifications & Uses of Psyllium Husk Powder
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Technical Specifications of Psyllium Husk Powder for Various Uses 

The psyllium husk is made up of the epidermis of the dried ripe seeds of the plantago Ovata F. The psylliyum powder is extracted from the seed of the plantago Ovata plant. It has a high level of soluble fibre. The beneficial bacteria make use of soluble fiber to energize the colon and thus help to enhance the natural elimination process of the body. A healthy colon system, like any other organ in the body requires energy. When the psyllium is consumed, it helps slow down the absorption of foods and aid in water retention thus supporting a healthy and well formed bowel movements.

Composition of the Psyllium Husk Powder

The fiber component in the plant can be divided into three main components

  • The highly fermentable component comprising from 15 – 20% of the total weight
  • The un fermentable component comprising approximately 10 – 15 % of the weight
  • Poorly fermentable and bulk forming component that goes as high as 55-60% of the psyllium weight.

From research, it has been recognized that the psyllium is very high in xylose – 59%, arabinose at 22.3 %, Uronic acid, galactose, glucose, rhamnose, mannose, and small levels of ribose. The un-fermentable portion of the powder is responsible for gel formation and fecal formation after supplementation with psyllium.

Management of appetite

Studies have shown that the psyllium husk meal when consumed before meal time and in the required dosages has the potential to cause a reduction in the appetite. 20 g of psyllium husk taken 3 hours prior to a full meal, and then immediately prior to the meal, significantly increased meal – induced satiety. This may eventually help people to reduce the energy intake by earlier termination of meals. This supplementation and the increased feeling of fullness also help reduce the fat intake.

Cardiovascular Health

The functional benefits of the psyllium are well recognized and various national agencies are following up on the use of the product in management of cardiovascular health.

Lowering Of Lipids

It has been observed that psyllium husk powder administered as the commercial bulk forming laxative has the effect of reducing the serum triglycerides. Repeated research has now shown that the powder effectively lowers the blood lipid levels and mainly the LDL cholesterol.

In young children the effect of the psyllium has been studied for the control of hypercholesterolemia. The process by which psyllium lowers the LDL cholesterol is on study. It has however been reported that this process is related to the ability to stimulate bile acid synthesis and loss.

Management of Diabetes  

In the management of the type 2 diabetes among patients, the main priority is the normalization of the blood glucose values. High fiber diets for these patients help in reducing the blood glucose, cholesterol as well as weight reduction and maintenance.

Functional Benefits of Psyllium Fiber Supplementation
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The psyllium plant has had a long history of use in various industries and mainly as a dietary fiber supplement. It is a gentle bulk forming laxative that has for a long time been used to promote the functioning of the large bowels of the body. Recent research has shown that the plant fiber has good effect on various conditions of the circulatory system.

There has been much international intrest by the public, research organizations and regulators in the medical application of foods with specific health benefits (functional foods), that favorably modify physiologic function of the body. The psyllium has been at the center of research on these kinds of foods.
There has also been a lot of interest by  psyllium husk manufacturers to produce these functional foods and ensure efficacy of action.

Gastrointestinal Regulation

The physiologically active component of the psyllium husk has been shown to be a highly branched, neutral arabinoxylan consisting of a xylose backbone and arabinose /xylose containing side chains. When compared to other cereals that are extensively fermented in the colon, the psyllium husk possesses a unique feature that prevents its fermentation by the typical colonic micro flora. The plant fiber is classified as the mucilaginous fiber due to its powerful ability to form a gel in water and research has shown that the gel forming fraction amounts to 55 – 60% of the husk. This component is responsible for the laxative properties of the psyllium husk powder.

Constipation and Diarrhea

The fiber promotes laxation through increasing the colonic contents and stimulates better propulsion. The unfermented fiber and accompanying moisture held are important in increasing the stool mass. They also provide a good substrate for microbial growth, hence a greater bacterial mass. Psyllium containing stools also contain an unfermented gel that acts as an emollient and lubricant for better stool passage.

Bowel Diseases

Supplementation of diet with psyllium is helpful in the treatment of irritable bowel diseases, inflammatory bowels disease and ulcerative colitis. The beneficial effects on colitis and inflammatory bowel disease have been observed to be due to the anti-constipation activity and increased levels of the short chain fatty acids called butyrate. Research has shown that the anaerobic fermentation of the psyllium fiber in the intestines results in considerable production of the short chain fatty acids acetate, propionate and the butyrate.

Effect on Colon Cancer

The short chained fatty acids and mainly butyric acid nourishes the colonocytes, which is important in colon cancer prevention. This chemical also exerts potent inhibition of inflammation and carcinogenesis to build more defenses against colon cancer.

Prebiotic Effects

Prebiotic foods are ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and activity of the bifidobacteria and the lactobacilli in the gut and thus have great health benefits. Psyllium husk has been seen to promote growth of the bifidobacteria in the human gut and thus act as a pre-biotic.

Conclusion

Due to these characteristics of the Psyllium, various commercial uses have emerged for the product in food, pharmaceutical and other industries. Although dietary fiber is best obtained from consuming whole foods, fiber supplementation with the Psyllium husk powder is also recommended to close the fiber gap.

Reformation of the Guar Industry Will Guarantee an Efficient Supply Chain
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There has been a high annual variation in the production of the guar gum which has consequently affected the levels of export of guar and its derivatives. The guar gum is highly used in the food industry such as baking and thickening agents and food safety concerns are also becoming critical considerations in the guar supply chain. There has also been a low level of preparedness by guar gum manufacturer to handle these challenges and this has had a negative impact on the continued growth and success of this industry.

Current Attempts

India is the largest producer of guar gum, contributing over 80% of the global production. There has been several attempts made to prepare a road map for the development of the guar gum production, marketing and the processing industry. There have also been deliberate efforts to align the views of all the stake holders in the value chain to create a single vision strategy for streamlining the product supply chain.

Identification of Issues Critical To Long Term Profitability and Sustainability

This process will involve;

  • Assessment of current gaps in production, processing and marketing and developing strategies to close these gaps.
  • Organizing a series of stakeholder meetings and group discussions, grower consultations, interviews, research and industry strategic planning.

Production and Supply

This is largely affected by the monsoon conditions in India and mainly in the western districts of Rajasthan. While it is impossible to change the weather patterns, strategies can be adopted to develop varieties that can withstand mild to low rainfall or even draught resistant varieties of the guar seed. Research and breeding stations are required to develop varieties with higher yield levels to increase the seed replacement ratios and consequently reduce fluctuations associated with lower yield levels.

Agronomic Practices

Increased emphasis in extension services aimed sensitizing farmers on the best practices for better production and higher yield is a key factor in enhancing stability in the supply chain.

Price movements

The guar seed has a shelf life that is more than three years with no losses in any of its properties and qualities. The product also requires minimal maintenance and handling practices. The prices of the guar therefore largely depend on the production levels and the monsoon conditions. The emergence of futures trading for the guar has therefore served to minimize the price risk and cause stability in the supply chain. This hedging platform must therefore be supported for the benefit of the farmers, processors and exporters involved in the whole chain.

Marketing Chain

The various products and by products that are derived from the guar plant creates even greater demand for the plant. The marketing process involves mainly farmers selling the produce to commission agents who then sell to wholesalers and processors. By products such as the guar meal is manufactured and sold as animal feed to the domestic market. Creating efficient infrastructure system such as access roads and better storage technologies will also go a long way in ensuring efficiency in the guar gum value chain.

Evaluation of The Sesbania Gum Powder
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There has been a lot of interest in the plant gums in the recent years due to their diverse pharmaceutical applications in various industries. Some of these applications include usage as protective colloids in suspensions, gelling agents and diluents, and even as bases in suppository.

Research has shown that the sesbania gum yields a very high percentage of mucilage going up to approximately 33 % of the total content. It contains high molecular weight polysaccharides made up of galactan and mannan units that are combined through the glycosidicbonds, thus making it very similar in structure to other well known hydrocolloids.

Extraction

The gum is extracted from sesbania seeds, and occurs as a white loose milky powder which is soluble in water and insoluble in organic solvents. In cold water it disperses to form the viscous solution that is much higher than that of other natural hydrocolloids.

Specification of the sesbania gum powder

The main contents contributing to industrial usage are the viscosity. When this is determined using the “brooke field viscometer, at temperature of 25 degrees centigrade, it give a range of 2500 cps minimum to 5000 cps maximum. This level is high and can be utilized for various industrial applications. The powder has a PH range of 5.5 to 7.0 and has been seen to have very low heavy metal content.

Some Industrial applications

  • The sesbania gum is used in the manufacturing of dye thickeners and as a sizing agent in the textile and other industries.
  • Flocculation process; the powder is heavily used as a flocculant in the waste water treatment. It has also been used up in the mining industry as an important floatation agent, used in the separation of minerals from the waste particles.
  • In the petroleum industry, the sesbania gum powder is used as a blockingagent, water resistance – reduction agent and tackifier used in the preparation of fluid cracking for enhancement of oil production rate.
  • It has emerged that the sesbania seed can be used in the manufacturing of feed for animals such as bird feed mixtures as well as a cover crop for birds.

 

Properties of the Sesbania Gum Powder

Research has shown that under certain temperature regimes the sesbania gum will behave like certain gums like the carob gum while at much higher concentration it exhibits properties of the guar gum. This discovery has important implications in industry as it has shown that the product can be used to replace the much more expensive hydrocolloids in the market.  Other important characteristics that are unique to the sesbania gum powder include its good release profile, physical stability and good spreadibility which are important to many manufacturing processes.

Production Advantages

Research has shown that the sesbania plant can grow on alkaline soils as well as water logged soils. This is a special property that has not being exhibited by many other plants. This creates a competitive advantage for the sesbania production which can make it more easily available and affordable to sesbania gum manufacturers.