Premcem Gums Private Limited

Guar Gum is derived from the ground endosperm of Cyamopsis Tetragonolobus, a plant of the Leguminosae family. The plant grows to about 1-2 metres high with vertical stalks. The seed pods, about 15 cm long, grow on these stalks and hold 6-9 seeds which are about 2-3 mm in diameter. Roughly, 14-16% of the seed is the hull, 38-45% is the endosperm and 40-46% germ.

Gum Cassia is obtained from the seeds of Cassia Obtusifolia, a plant of the Leguminosae family. The name comes from Latin words “obtus” meaning “blunt” and “folium” meaning “leaf.” It is an annual plant and flowers after the Indian monsoon season.

Gum Ghatti is an exudate of the Anogeissus latifolia tree of the Combreteceae family. The tree has a grey bark and red leaves during the dry season. The gum has a glassy fracture and occurs in rounded tears which are normally less than 1 cm in diameter. It often occurs in larger vermiform masses.

The best crop is harvested when there are no monsoons, the largest collection being in April. The quality of the gum depends on the length of time it has remained on the tree before being picked and the proximity of the tear to the bark of the tree. The colour of the exudate varies from light to dark brown; the lighter the colour the better the quality.

Gum Karaya is the dried exudate of the Sterculia Urens tree. These are large bush trees that grow about 9 metres high. In order to produce the gum, the trees are tapped and exudation begins immediately and continues for several days forming irregular lumps (or tears) which may weigh up to 5 pounds. The exudate is allowed to dry on the tree and is later collected, broken, cleaned and sorted. On average, a tree can be tapped about 5 times during its lifetime.

Psyllium Seed Husk is obtained from the seeds of the plant Plantago Ovata. The common name in India, Isabgol, is derived from Persian words “isap” and “gol” meaning horse ears as it describes the shape of the seed. It is an annual plant and flowers 60 days after planting. The seeds are exposed as capsules open during maturity.

Tamarind Kernel Powder is obtained from the seeds of the plant Tamarindus Indica. The tree is usually about 5 meters tall but can also get as high as 25 meters. It stays evergreen without a dry season and is covered with pinnate leaves, pale reddish-yellow flowers and pods. The pods are 3-6 inches long with 8-10 seeds in each.