Introduction
Psyllium is an agricultural crop grown mainly in India. The most important psyllium product is the psyllium husk. Psyllium husk or hull is processed from the outer coat of the seed of a plant known as plantago ovata. The seed is more commonly known as Isabgol or Isabghula in India.
India exports around 25,000 metric tonnes of Psyllium Husk, worth US dollars 75 million, per annum. In many countries, the husk is used in medical preparations by major pharmaceutical concerns.
Cultivated mainly in the western Indian region in areas having cool and dry weather with rich, well drained, sandy soils, the psyllium plant is sown in / around December and has its harvesting period in March / April. Generally no fertilisers or pesticides are used for this crop. After threshing / winnowing / sieving, the seeds are separated from the raw harvested spikes.
The seeds are further processed to obtain the husk as explained later.
Properties, Action, Applications
Psyllium Husk is a versatile product, which finds application for varied purposes due to its following properties:
- Easily produces gel by absorbing water
- Swelling index is about 20 times in volume
- Totally free from toxicity
- Chemically inert, acts mechanically in alimentary canal and is not digested or absorbed into the body
Psyllium Husk, when taken with water or other liquids (eg. juice), forms a gel-like gelatinous mass (due to its quality of being able to absorb an enormous volume of water), moves down the digestive tract soaking up toxins and harmful residues, flushing them out of the body through stools. During its passage through the alimentary canal, the mucilaginous mass is neither acted upon by gastric or intestinal juice nor digested by bacteria. It coats the mucous membrane acting as a demulcent and lubricant. Psyllium Husk is therefore useful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders of the digestive system, eg. ulcers.
Psyllium Husk would help people with constipation, when taken with lots of water. Psyllium Husk has no calories of digestible value and is therefore often used in slimming products as it makes one feel full without really providing nutrition. Due to its non-reactive nature, psyllium can be used by people with sensitive digestive systems. Because of its gentle action, psyllium husk can be used for many months at a time. Psyllium also improves the environment for the growth of friendly colonic bacteria and removes cholesterol from the digestive system. It can help reduce blood cholesterol if used appropriately.
To summarise, Psyllium Husk (or its powder) is recommended for :
(a) Constipation
(b) Diarrhoea, Dysentery and other bowel disorders
(c) Piles and fissures
(d) Acidity and ulcers
(e) Supplement for slimming diet programs
(f) Maintaining / reducing blood cholesterol levels
Psyllium husk is also extensively used in making breakfast cereals.
Psyllium Husk
The psyllium seeds have a thin white membrane, covering mainly their concave sides, which is psyllium husk. The layers of the seeds contain about 30% mucilage.
The production of psyllium husk from raw seeds involves a sophisticated processing of seed cleaning and dehusking.
Raw seeds are cleaned with the help of Destoner, Roller separators and Polishing machines repeatedly. The seeds after thorough cleaning and polishing in the cleaning plant are passed through special grinding mills for removal of the husk. The dehusked material consisting of husk and kernel, is sieved to remove kernels. Pure husk is then obtained by processing and removing the impurities with the help of Aspirators / Blowers.
The cleaned husk is separated gradewise.
It is important to process the psyllium products under hygienic conditions. Movement of the seed / husk is by conveyors / elevators and there is practically no human contact to the material during the process. The plant is maintained clean and the area kept under appropriate pest control measures.
Psyllium Husk Powder
Psyllium Husk Powder is produced by milling the processed husk of different purities to required particle size. Powder from 40 mesh onwards fineness with different purities can be supplied by us.
Psyllium Seed
Raw but cleaned psyllium seed duly packed in specific nett weight sacks can be supplied by us.
Fumigation / Sterilisation
Fumigation is usually with Methyl Bromide. On processed material the fumigation is done either in the fumigation chamber or under tarpaulin covers. Sterilisation can also be offered at additional cost.
Psyllium Industrial Dust Powder
This is the powder of the collection of fibre / husk deposits, which accumulate all over the processing area. Used for fodder / manure applications.
Items offered
- Psyllium Husk of 85%, 90%, 95% , 98% Purity
- Psyllium Husk Powder 85%, 90%, 95% Purity with 40 mesh onward fineness
- Psyllium Seed 97% to 99% Purity
- Psyllium Industrial Dust Powder
- Ready-to-use orange, lime, mango flavoured husk powder in consumer and bulk packs.
Technical Specifications
| General Specifications | |
| Colour: | Off-white with brown specks |
| Odour: | Faint, characteristic |
| Taste: | Bland, Mucilaginous |
| Particle Size: | 40.0% min on USS#30 4.0% max thru USS#100 |
| Moisture (loss on drying): | 12.0% max |
| Total Ash: | 4.0% max |
| Acid Insoluble Ash: | 1.0% max |
| Light Extraneous Matter: | Max 15% and below depending on the product purity |
| Heavy Extraneous Matter: | 1.1% max |
| Mucilloid Content: | Min 85% and up depending on the product purity |
| Swell Volume: | 40.0 ML/G min |
| Insect Fragments: | Meet USP XXLL Specifications |
| Microbiological Analysis (The values specified below are typical. Very low counts can be offered if required by the customer) | |
| Total Plate Count: | 50000/g max |
| Mold Count: | 200/g max |
| Yeast: | 200/g max |
| E.Coli: | Negative |
| Salmonella: | Negative |
Packaging
Psyllium Husk in double jute bags with liner inside or 35/40 kg nett weight bags or as
required. Psyllium Powder in double jute bags with liner inside or in drums. Psyllium Seed
in gunny bags packing.
