Guar

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Guar

Guar (pronounced /ɡwɑːr/) is a plant of the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is also known as cluster bean or Cyamopsis tetragonoloba.

Etymology

The term "guar" is derived from the Sanskrit word "gopali", meaning "cattle fodder". The scientific name, Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, is derived from the Greek words "kyamos" (bean) and "opsis" (resembling), and the Latin words "tetra" (four) and "gonia" (angle), referring to the four-angled pods of the plant.

Description

The guar plant is a small to medium-sized annual herbaceous plant. It grows up to 2-3 meters in height and has a deep taproot system. The plant produces clusters of small, pale white to pink flowers, which develop into elongated, four-angled pods containing several small, hard seeds.

Uses

The seeds of the guar plant are used to produce guar gum, a polysaccharide that is used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and oil drilling. The gum is extracted from the seeds by a process of roasting, grinding, and sieving. It is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in foods, as a binder in tablets, and as a viscosity modifier in oil drilling fluids.

The green pods of the guar plant are also edible and are used as a vegetable in Indian cuisine. The leaves and young shoots are used as fodder for cattle.

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