Galactomannans industrial applications

The general chemistry of the galactomannans has been reviewed by Whistler and Smart" and others,7 " and papers frequently appear that discuss the uses of guar and locust-bean gums in various industrial applications, such as in cosmetics9 and food.10,11 Most of this article deals with investigations of the structural chemistry of galac-... 

The chemical and physical properties of the galactomannans are important in their industrial applications. Thus, the ability to imbibe water, to form a thick, mucilaginous paste that is impervious to further water, is utilized by the mining and related industries, both as a method of waterproofing explosives236-258 and as a plugging composi-... 

The linear, but highly branched, molecular structure of the galactomannans is the reason for some specific properties which are quite different from those of the unbranched cellulose-like and water-insoluble mannans and glucomannans. Galactomannans are hydrated in cold water and give stable solutions even in acidic formulas. The interactions of galactomannans with other polysaccharides are the base of a variety of industrial applications. 

The patent literature pertaining to the industrial exploitation of guar gum from 1948 to 1962 has been comprehensively collated by Saxena,34 and will not be considered here. Saxena s compilation34 covers more than 70 patents relating to 15 industries, and includes gum extraction and purification, and modification of gum properties. A selection, taken from the literature over the past decade or so, of applications of galactomannans is given in Table VI. It may be seen that guar gum is, indeed, a versatile product. Some of the more im-... 

Production of Oxidized Guar Galactomannan and Its Applications in the Paper Industry... 

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