Cassia Tora is a wild crop, mainly grown in the middle part of India. The Cassia Tora Seeds obtained from the Cassia Tora plant when processed gives Cassia Gum Powder. This galactomannan comprises of around 75% polysaccharide that primarily consists of the linear chain of 1,4-beta-D-mannopyranose units. The ratio of galactose to mannose in Cassia Tora is 1:5.
Cassia Gum is obtained mechanically from the endosperm of the germ and husk after the heating process. This is then followed by the process of sieving, pulverization, extraction, and drying. The properties of cassia gum powder are more like carob bean gum, guar gum, and tara gum when concerned with the chemical properties and its structure.
For the formation of thicker gels with brilliant properties that are unique and beneficial for different applications, the cassia tora powder is mixed with various hydrocolloids like Carrageenan gum and Xanthan Gum.
Different Roles of Cassia Gum Powder
Cassia Gum Powder has multiple roles and is highly demanded in industries for various reasons. The major roles why Cassia Gum Powder is used are as mentioned below:
Stabilizer
Thickener
Emulsifier
Natural Fibre
Gelling Agent
Binding Agent
Texturizing Agent
Moisture Retention Agent
A brief description of why industries use Cassia Tora Powder is given below.
Gelling Agent & Thickener
Cassia Gum when used as a gelling agent, combines with gels like carrageenan gums the gel strength increases up to the measurement of 1100g/cm2. As a result, over the period the strength of the gel does not decreases. The more amount of cassia is added, the thickness of the gel also increases along with it. Hence, it allows the thickening process as per the user’s requirement.
Emulsifier & Stabilizer
Cassia Gum Powder is used as emulsifiers to help the mixing in different food and various other industries to ensure that the materials are properly mixed. Cassia gum is used as a stabilizer and helps to prevent the degradation process.
Binding & Texturizing Agent
The cassia gum powder is used as a bonding and texturizing agent due to its excellent properties that help in binding just like other hydrocolloids. It is also helpful to give proper texture to the wet canned pet food. This is also useful as a texturizing agent and also can be used as a moisture retention agent in the dairy industry for various frozen dairy products like cheese and other mixes. It is also useful in the poultry industry. The cassia is used as a natural fiber due to the fiber present in it amounts to 5-10%.
Industrial Applications of Cassia Gum
Cassia Gum can be used in the food and also in different industrial applications. But the major use of this cassia tora powder is that it is most demanded in the pet food industry in current times. It is used as a gelling agent and mainly in wet canned dog and cat pet food products. Within the permitted concentrations up to 4000ppm, this gum powder when used in the industry gives optimum results to the wet canned pet food manufacturer. This can also be used in air freshener gel.
Moreover, the cassia can be used in various known industries offering daily products like frozen food, dairy products, meat products, toothpaste, and bakery items within the standard limits and in small proportions. Cassia Gum Powder also has its applications in the fields of cattle feed and large scale industries like textiles, mining, pharmaceuticals, cosmetic industries, paper production, and water treatment plants.
Due to excellent chemical and physical properties, cassia gum powder has become more and more demanded product in recent times across the globe, and with an increase in demand, the increase in production rate has also increased to suffice the market needs.
