Preparation and Applications of Guar Gum Composites in Biomedical, Pharmaceutical, Food, and Cosmetics Industries

Background: Guar gum is a water-soluble polysaccharide called galactomannan, obtained from the endosperm of Cyamopsis tetragonolobus, a plant belonging to the Leguminosae family. Galactomannan is a biopolymer rich in functional groups, particularly hydroxyl groups, which expands the possibilities of its chemical modification and, therefore, biological applications. Objective: This review aims to present and discuss various methods used in the preparation of guar gum composites and their applications in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Methods: The published data about the extraction procedure of guar gum and its various physicochemical properties have been collected and analyzed. Further, the published information about various methods used for the preparation of guar gum composite systems, including film, hydrogel, and beads, have been gathered and comprehensively discussed in this review. The applications of guar gum based composites in the field of biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetics have also been reviewed in detail. Results: Different guar gum composite systems have shown multifunctional properties, including gelling and emulsifying ability, thickening and binding property, quick solubility in water, good biocompatibility, and biodegradability in the domain of biomedical, pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries. Conclusion: Recent advancements in the preparation and applications of guar gum composites summarized in this review will enhance the practical applications of this polymer in various industries.