E412 GUAR GUM - EU Specification

Commission Directive 98/86/EC

Synonyms Gum cyamopsis

Guar flour

Definition Guar gum is the ground endosperm of the seeds of natural strains of the guar plant, Cyamopsis tetragonolobus (L.) Taub. (family Leguminosae). Consists mainly of a high molecular weight hydrocolloidal polysac charide composed of galactopyranose and mannopyranose units combined through glycosidic linkages, which may be described chemically as galactomannan

Einecs 232-536-0

Molecular weight 50 000-8 000 000

Assay Galactomannan content not less than 75 %

Description A white to yellowish-white, nearly odourless powder

Identification

A. Positive tests for galactose and for mannose

B. Solubility Soluble in cold water

Purity

Loss on drying Not more than 15 % (105 °C, 5 hours)

Ash Not more than 1,5 % determined at 800 °C

Acid-insoluble matter Not more than 7 %

Protein (N X 6,25) Not more than 10 %

Starch Not detectable by the following method: to a 1 in 10 solution of the sample add a few drops of iodine solution. (No blue colour is produced)

Arsenic Not more than 3 mg/kg

Lead Not more than 5 mg/kg

Mercury Not more than 1 mg/kg

Cadmium Not more than 1 mg/kg

Heavy metals (as Pb) Not more than 20 mg/kg