Viscosity Control of Guar Polysaccharide Solutions by Treatment with Galactose Oxidase and Catalase Enzymes

Guar gum is a natural polysaccharide found in the seeds of certain annual leguminous plants (Cyamopsis psoraloides and tetragonalobus ). In a series of physical operations involving crushing, sifting, and grinding, the seeds are separated from the pod and then the gum, contained in the endosperm, is separated from the rest of the seed. These processes influence the properties of the polymer, such as the molecular weight and purity, which in turn affect the viscosity of water solutions of the polymer. The variability of availability and composition of the gum is further underlined by the fact that part of the world production derives from Third World countries. These often utilize manual labour to harvest the crop and are in geographical regions subjected to wide fluctuations in climate.