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Guar gum (Guar gum, E412)
Guar gum is a food additive that is part of the group of thickeners, stabilizers and emulsifiers. According to the international classification of food additives, Guar gum appears as E412.
General characteristics and production of Guar Gum
Guar gum is a fine white powder, highly soluble in water, which slows down the process of ice crystallization.
According to the chemical structure of E412, it is similar to carob gum, has the property of forming a structured gel and is resistant to freeze-thaw cycles (calorizator). It is considered one of the best stabilizers that increase the viscosity of products. Compatible with most other plant hydrocolloids, such as agar, pectin, carrageenan, methylcellulose, etc., which improve consistency, such combinations can have a mutually positive effect.
Guar gum is a natural product made from the pods of Indian acacia (guar beans) by extraction from seeds. The main suppliers of raw materials for the production of E412 are Pakistan and India.
Benefits and harms of E412
Guar gum helps to remove harmful bacteria, heavy metals and toxins from the human body, and is an anticoagulant. It has the ability to reduce appetite, reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. It is recognized as a supplement that does not harm the body due to the fact that Guar gum is hypoallergenic and absorbed by the intestine in minuscule amounts.
At the end of the twentieth century, E412 was actively added to dietary supplements for weight loss, but there were several deaths in those who took such supplements in excessive quantities and without the supervision of specialists, so now Guar gum is used with caution.
Application of E412 in the food industry
In the food industry, Guar gum is most actively used in the manufacture of ice cream, yogurt and sauces. E412 also contains cheeses and bread, dairy products, juices and syrups, jellies and jams. The meat and meat processing industries use Guar gum as a stabilizer and an improver of the appearance of products. In the production of canned pet food, E412 is used as a binding agent.
Application of Guar gum in other industries
E412 is used not only for food production, the substance is used in the paper and textile industries, the coal and oil industries, the production of cosmetics and explosives.
Application of Guar gum
On the territory of our country, the use of E412 is allowed both as an independent food additive and in combination with other similar substances.