Guar

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Guar

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Tribe:	Indigofereae
Genus:	Cyamopsis
Species:	C. tetragonoloba

Binomial name

Cyamopsis tetragonoloba
(L.) Taub.

Synonyms

Cyamopsis psoralioides L.

The guar bean or cluster bean, an annual legume, is the source of guar gum. It grows best under conditions with frequent rainfall, but tolerates arid conditions well.^[1] 80% of world production is in India, but due to strong demand, it is being introduced into new areas.

1 Cultivation
2 Uses
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Cultivation

For best growth, the guar bean requires full sunshine, flashing rainfalls that are moderately frequent, and well drained soil. However, it is extremely drought tolerant and thrives in semi-arid regions. It is grown principally in Pakistan and northwestern India,^[2] with smaller crops grown in the semi-arid areas of the USA^[3], Australia and Africa. The most important growing area centres on Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India.

Currently India is the source of about 80% of the world production of guar gum. Several commercial growers ^[4] have converted their crops to guar production to support the increasing demand for guar and other organic crops ^[5] in the United States.

[edit] Uses

[edit] Agriculture

Guar can be fed to cattle, or used as a green manure.

[edit] Food

Guar can be eaten as a green bean, but is more important as the source of guar gum. Guar beans have a large endosperm that contains galactomannan gum, a substance which forms a gel in water. This is commonly known as guar gum and is used in dairy products like ice cream and as a stabilizer in cheese and cold-meat processing.

Another use is as a fibre supplement. After being partially hydrolyzed, guar gum is completely soluble in water and soft food. Being approximately 75% dietary fiber, it allows fibre to be added to a food with a minimal effect on taste and texture.

[edit] Industrial uses

Guar gum is also used in industrial applications such as the paper and textile industry, ore flotation, the manufacture of explosives and the exploitation of oil and gas reserves. Guar gum has also proven a useful substitute for locust bean gum (made from carob seeds).