Galactomannan (Guar Seed Fiber · Locust Bean Gum)
| CAS No. | 11078-30-1 |
| Class | Polysaccharide · Soluble dietary fiber · Hemicellulose |
| Source | Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (Guar bean) — seed endosperm; also Ceratonia siliqua (Locust bean) — seed |
| Claim strength | High |
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Cyamopsis tetragonoloba — the guar bean — has been cultivated on the Indian subcontinent for centuries, used as both a food crop and livestock fodder across the arid regions of Rajasthan and Gujarat. In traditional Indian cuisine, guar beans and their flour appear in flatbreads, curries, and fermented preparations. The seed endosperm's mucilaginous properties were recognised empirically long before galactomannan was isolated as a compound — guar flour served as a natural thickener and binding agent in food preparation across northwestern India and Pakistan. In Ayurvedic tradition, guar preparations were used to support digestive function and as a demulcent for GI tract irritation. India remains the world's dominant producer today, supplying over 80% of global galactomannan demand, with the same agroclimate that supported centuries of traditional cultivation now anchoring a global industrial supply chain.
Galactomannans are seed endosperm polysaccharides consisting of a mannose backbone with galactose side chains — the ratio of mannose to galactose varies by source and determines solubility, viscosity, and gel-forming behaviour. Guar galactomannan (2:1 ratio) is the most commercially significant and most studied source.
Galactomannan for Cholesterol, Blood Glucose & Digestive Health — Clinical Evidence
How it works: Galactomannans form a viscous gel in the gastrointestinal tract that slows gastric emptying, reduces the rate of glucose absorption from the small intestine, and traps bile acids — forcing hepatic conversion of cholesterol to replacement bile acids, which drives LDL reduction. The mechanism is entirely GI-mediated and does not require systemic absorption.
LDL cholesterol reduction: Multiple human RCTs document consistent LDL reduction at 5–30g per day of guar galactomannan. Meta-analyses confirm average reductions of 10–15% LDL with daily galactomannan supplementation. The bile acid sequestration mechanism is well-characterised and consistent across studies.
Blood glucose management: Post-prandial glucose response is significantly reduced when galactomannan is consumed with or before meals. Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) at 5g per day has demonstrated improvements in fasting glucose and insulin sensitivity in RCTs in prediabetic populations.
IBS and gut motility: PHGG specifically has been studied in irritable bowel syndrome — three RCTs document reductions in IBS symptom scores and improvements in bowel regularity. This is a commercially valuable positioning angle distinct from the cholesterol and glucose claims.
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Galactomannan Dosage, Format & Formulator Specification
Standard dose: 5–15g per day for cholesterol and glucose management. PHGG for IBS: 5g per day. Higher doses (15–30g) have been used in clinical weight management trials. Dose weight makes powder sachet the practical format — capsule encapsulation at these doses is impractical.
Grade selection — critical for formulation: Standard guar galactomannan has high viscosity — gel-forming and difficult to disperse in beverages. Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) is enzymatically reduced to lower molecular weight, producing a product that disperses cleanly in water without gelling — appropriate for drink sachets, functional beverages, and clinical nutrition applications. Specify standard versus PHGG at enquiry stage.
Allergen note: Guar-derived galactomannan is from a legume source. Confirm allergen declaration requirements for your target market — EU labelling regulations require legume allergen disclosure in some product categories.
Pairs with: Glucomannan (complementary fiber types, different viscosity profiles), psyllium husk, inulin (synbiotic fiber combination formats), berberine (metabolic health stacks).
Frequently Asked Questions — Galactomannan
What is the difference between galactomannan and glucomannan?
Both are soluble dietary fibers with gel-forming properties and documented effects on cholesterol and glucose, but they are structurally distinct. Galactomannan is a mannose-galactose polysaccharide from legume seeds (guar, locust bean). Glucomannan is a glucose-mannose polysaccharide from konjac tuber. Glucomannan has higher viscosity per gram and carries EFSA approved weight management and cholesterol claims. Galactomannan has a stronger IBS evidence base and is available in partially hydrolysed form for easier formulation.
What is partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) and why does it matter?
PHGG is guar galactomannan enzymatically reduced to a lower molecular weight — it has significantly reduced viscosity compared to standard guar gum, disperses cleanly in water without gel formation, and is better tolerated at higher doses with lower flatulence incidence. PHGG is the preferred grade for supplement sachets and functional beverage applications. Standard guar galactomannan is appropriate for food manufacturing thickening applications.
Is galactomannan the same as guar gum?
Guar gum is the food-additive form of guar galactomannan standardised for viscosity and used as a food thickener (E412). Galactomannan extract is the same compound category but may be produced at different purity grades and with different viscosity specifications depending on application. For supplement label claims, specify the galactomannan content percentage on the CoA.
What is the daily dose for cholesterol management?
Clinical trials for LDL cholesterol reduction have used doses ranging from 5–30g per day, with the majority of consistent effects seen at 10–15g per day. The higher doses are typically used in functional food fortification rather than supplement capsule formats. For supplement applications, PHGG at 5g per day is the practically achievable and clinically supported dose.
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human studies; Moderate = a few trials; Emerging = early lab data.