Free and Esterified Fatty Acids of Guar Gum

Abstract

Guar gum [from Cyamopsis tetragonolobus] consists essentially of the polysaccharide galactomannan. Small amounts of various lipid soluble compounds, including long chain fatty acids, are also present. Free and esterified fatty acids of guar gum were analyzed by GLC-MS [mass spectrometry]. Palmitate (hexadecanoate), oleate (9-octadecenoate) and linoleate (9,12-octadecadienoate) were the main components of the lipid fraction, but several long chain saturated acids and at least two 2-hydroxy-derivatives of fatty acids are also present.