Guar Gum
Guar Gum is a natural polysaccharide extracted from the endosperm of the guar bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba). It appears as an off-white to cream-colored powder with a neutral odor and bland taste. Guar Gum is a galactomannan composed mainly of mannose and galactose units, known for its excellent water-binding, thickening, and stabilizing properties. It forms highly viscous solutions even at low concentrations, making it a versatile hydrocolloid used widely across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, oilfield, and industrial applications.
Guar Gum
Primary UsesÂ
- Food Industry
- Thickening agent in sauces, soups, gravies, and dairy products like yogurt and ice cream.
- Functions as a stabilizer and emulsifier in dressings, bakery fillings, and beverages to improve texture and shelf life.
- Used as a dietary fiber source and fat replacer in low-calorie and gluten-free food formulations.
- Acts as a binding agent in meat products and bakery goods.
- Helps improve freeze-thaw stability and prevents ice crystal formation in frozen foods.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
- Used as a binder and disintegrant in tablet formulations for controlled drug release.
- Functions as a thickening and suspending agent in liquid oral and topical medications.
- Incorporated in capsule formulations to improve consistency and stability.
- Acts as a film-former and stabilizer in pharmaceutical gels and creams.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Serves as a viscosity enhancer in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and creams.
- Acts as a stabilizer and emulsifier in cosmetic formulations to improve texture and spreadability.
- Used in toothpaste formulations for gel formation and suspension of abrasive particles.
- Provides moisture retention and skin feel improvement in personal care products.
- Oil and Gas Industry
- Applied as a friction reducer, thickener, and stabilizer in hydraulic fracturing fluids and drilling muds to improve fluid properties and suspension of solids.
- Used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) to increase the viscosity of injection water and improve sweep efficiency.
- Industrial Applications
- Employed in textile printing and sizing as a thickener and binder for dyes and pigments.
- Used in paper manufacturing as a retention aid and to improve paper strength and finish.
- Functions as a binder in adhesives and coatings.
- Used in explosives manufacture as a thickener for slurry explosives.
Secondary UsesÂ
- Agriculture
- Used as a carrier and binder for fertilizers and pesticides.
- Investigated for soil conditioning and moisture retention improvement.
- Environmental Applications
- Used in wastewater treatment to aid in flocculation and sedimentation of suspended solids.
- Food Packaging
- Explored as a biodegradable film former for edible coatings and food packaging materials.
- Biomedical Applications
- Investigated for drug delivery systems and wound dressings due to its biocompatibility and film-forming ability.
1. Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Galactomannan
- Common/Trade Name: Guar Gum
- CAS Number: 9000-30-0
- HS Code: 1302.32.00
- Molecular Formula: (C6H10O5)n (polysaccharide)
- Synonyms: Guaran; Cyamopsis gum; Guar flour
2. Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Powder
- Color & Odor: Off-white to cream; bland odor and taste
- Solubility: Soluble in cold and hot water, forming viscous solutions
- pH (1% aqueous solution): 5.0–7.0 (neutral/slightly acidic)
- Viscosity: High viscosity even at low concentrations (depends on batch and molecular weight)
- Stability: Stable in dry form; viscosity can be affected by pH extremes and microbial contamination
3. Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: Generally regarded as safe (GRAS)
- Toxicity: Non-toxic; edible and biodegradable
- Allergenicity: Low; rare reports of hypersensitivity
4. Storage & Handling Attributes
- Container Type: Sealed bags, drums, or bulk containers
- Storage Conditions: Cool, dry place away from moisture and contaminants
- Shelf Life: 24 months under proper storage
- Handling Notes: Avoid dust inhalation; use dust masks if necessary
5. Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Approved as a food additive (E412) by FDA, EFSA, and other regulatory agencies
- Complies with pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredient standards
- Non-GMO and organic grades available
6. Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Fully biodegradable and environmentally friendly
- Ecotoxicity: Non-toxic to aquatic life
- Bioaccumulation: None expected
- Carcinogenicity/Mutagenicity: Not classified; safe for human use
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Dust mask, gloves, safety goggles when handling powder
- Handling Guidelines: Use in well-ventilated areas; avoid dust generation and inhalation
- Hygiene Practices: Wash hands after handling; avoid contact with eyes
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air if respiratory discomfort occurs
- Skin Contact: Wash with soap and water; rare irritation possible
- Eye Contact: Rinse with plenty of water; seek medical attention if irritation persists
- Ingestion: Generally safe; seek medical advice if large amounts swallowed
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Non-flammable but combustible in dust form
- Extinguishing Media: Water spray, foam, dry chemical, or COâ‚‚
- Combustion Products: Carbon oxides, possible traces of hydrocarbons
- Firefighter PPE: Use self-contained breathing apparatus if exposed to smoke
Related products
Avocado Wax
Avocado wax is a natural plant-derived wax extracted primarily from the pulp and seed of the avocado fruit (Persea americana). It appears as a hard, yellowish wax with excellent emollient, film-forming, and moisturizing properties. Valued for its biodegradability, compatibility with various formulations, and sustainability, avocado wax is widely used as a natural alternative to synthetic waxes in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial applications.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Detergent Grade
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Detergent Grade is a water-soluble cellulose derivative produced by the etherification of cellulose with monochloroacetic acid. It is a fine, white to off-white powder with excellent thickening, stabilizing, and water retention properties. The detergent grade of CMC is specifically tailored to meet the requirements of laundry and cleaning formulations, offering superior dispersing and anti-redeposition performance. It is biodegradable, non-toxic, and widely used as a functional additive to enhance cleaning efficiency and fabric care in detergent products. Its excellent compatibility with surfactants and enzymes makes it an essential ingredient in both powder and liquid detergents.
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Food Grade
Carboxymethyl Cellulose Food Grade is a water-soluble cellulose derivative produced by the etherification of cellulose with monochloroacetic acid. It appears as a fine, white to off-white powder with excellent thickening, stabilizing, and water retention properties. Designed specifically for food applications, this grade complies with food safety regulations and is widely used as a texture modifier, stabilizer, and emulsifier in a variety of processed foods. It enhances product consistency, extends shelf life, and improves moisture retention without altering taste or odor. Being non-toxic, biodegradable, and non-caloric, it is considered safe for human consumption and is approved as a food additive in many countries.
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (CSA)
Cetyl Stearyl Alcohol (CSA), also known as Cetearyl Alcohol, is a blended fatty alcohol consisting primarily of cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohols. It appears as white to pale yellow waxy flakes or pellets with a mild fatty odor. CSA is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products as an emollient, thickener, and co-emulsifier. It enhances texture, improves stability, and provides a smooth, velvety skin feel in formulations. Being a non-ionic surfactant, it also aids in stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions and is favored for its gentle nature on the skin and hair.
Modified Starch
Modified Starch is a chemically modified, food-grade starch designed to enhance texture, stability, and clarity in various food and industrial applications. It provides excellent thickening, gelling, and stabilizing properties, while maintaining clarity in finished products. The modification improves resistance to heat, acid, and shear, making it ideal for complex processing conditions. Clearam CH 4020 is widely used in processed foods, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.
Pectin HM
Pectin HM (High Methoxyl) is a natural polysaccharide extracted primarily from citrus peels and apple pomace. It is widely used as a gelling agent, stabilizer, and thickener in the food industry. Pectin HM requires high sugar content and acidic conditions to form a gel, making it ideal for jams, jellies, and confectionery products. It also finds applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics for its film-forming and stabilizing properties.
Veegum
 Veegum is a purified magnesium aluminum silicate clay known for its excellent suspending, thickening, and stabilizing properties. It is widely used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial applications as a rheology modifier, suspension stabilizer, and emulsifier. Veegum enhances the texture, consistency, and stability of formulations, providing improved performance in both liquid and semi-solid systems.
Xantham Gum
Xantham Gum is a high-molecular-weight polysaccharide produced by fermentation of glucose or sucrose by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris. It is widely used as a thickening, stabilizing, and emulsifying agent in various industries due to its excellent viscosity properties, even at low concentrations. Xanthan Gum imparts improved texture, consistency, and shelf life to finished products, making it indispensable in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial formulations.

Preservatives(food)
Flavors
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Oils
Carrier Oills
Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
Biochemical Reagents
Inorganic and Organic Standards
Laboratory Safety Chemicals
Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
Demulsifiers
Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids
Scale Inhibitors(oil)
Surfactants(oil)
Drilling Fluids
Dyes and Pigments
Bleaching Agents
Softening Agents
Finishing Agents
Antistatic Agents
Admixtures
Waterproofing Agents
Sealants and Adhesives
Curing Compounds
Concrete Repair Chemicals
Anti-Corrosion Coatings
Surfactants(cleaning)
Builders
Enzymes
Solvents (Cleaning)
Fragrances (Cleaning)
Electronic Chemicals
Catalysts
Lubricants
Photographic Chemicals
Refrigerants
Automotive chemicals
Pyrotechnic Chemicals
Biodegradable Surfactants
Bio-based Solvents
Renewable Polymers
Carbon Capture Chemicals
Wastewater Treatment Chemicals
Pigments
Solvents(paint)
Specialty Coatings
Binders/Resins
Additives
Driers
Anti-Corrosion Agents
Functional Coatings
Application-Specific Coatings
Leavening Agents
Dough Conditioners
Flour Treatments
Fat Replacers
Decoratives
Preservatives(baking)
Plasticizers & Softeners
Reinforcing Agents
Adhesion Promoters
Vulcanizing Agents
Antidegradants
Blowing Agents
Fillers & Extenders
Accelerators & Retarders