Guar Gum

Guar gum is a food additive with a wide range of applications. Guar gum is used in the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and paper industries, among others, and its chemical formula is represented as C₁₀H₁₄N₅Na₂O₁₂P₃. This substance is a type of fiber derived from guar seeds; the plant primarily grows in India and Pakistan and is often used as an additive in many processed food products.

This compound is a polysaccharide, a long chain of carbohydrate molecules composed of two sugars, mannose and galactose. Because guar gum can absorb water, it can form a gel that increases the thickness and viscosity of products. For example, in the pharmaceutical industry, guar gum serves as a binder or disintegrant in tablets. It also acts as a gelling agent in capsules, controlling the rate and timing of drug release into the body.