Guar, or Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, might not sound glamorous, but it powers a surprising range of industries. From your pantry to petroleum, and even into fish feed, this underappreciated crop is quietly shaping the world around us.
Guar thrive where many crops fail
It’s a fast-growing, drought-resistant legume native to India and Pakistan. In fact, India produces around 80% of the world’s guar, much of it in the arid state of Rajasthan. It thrives in poor sandy soil, high heat, requires very little water and matures quickly in just 90 to 120 days — a miracle crop for regions with tough growing conditions.
So while it’s not the fastest crop (like some leafy greens or vegetables that mature in 30–60 days), guar is quick for a protein-rich, industrial-scale crop.
But the real magic happens when the seeds are processed into guar meal, a natural thickener, stabilizer and emulsifier that’s now essential in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, textiles — and aquaculture. Guar gum is a hydrocolloid, meaning it can absorb up to 8 times its weight in water, which makes it valuable as a thickener. Like other legumes, guar fixes nitrogen from the air into the soil via symbiotic bacteria in its root nodules.
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In a world where aquaculture must grow without increasing environmental impact, guar checks a lot of boxes:
Plant-based: Helps reduce reliance on fish meal and fish oil, supporting sustainable aquaculture.
Low water use: Requires minimal water and chemicals, making it ideal for climate-stressed regions.
Soil restorer: Enhances crop rotation cycles and soil fertility by fixing nitrogen.
Non-competitive land use: Thrives in marginal soil, reducing fertilizer needs for subsequent crops.
Biodegradable: Leaves no synthetic binders in water, minimizing environmental impact.
In fish farming, guar might just be a sustainable game-changer. Guar gum binds fish feed pellets together, preventing disintegration in water—leading to less waste, cleaner water, and more efficient feeding. Meanwhile, the leftover guar meal after gum extraction contains up to 50% protein, making it a viable alternative to fish meal, a major sustainability concern in aquaculture. Additionally, guar enhances digestion and nutrient absorption in aquaculture feed, further boosting fish health.
This bean is quietly changing the world—one pellet at a time. In the quest for more sustainable aquaculture, guar isn’t just a binder; it’s a bridge to better feed, cleaner water, and more resilient farming systems.
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With 30 years of experience in the Finnish market, the energetic team of Oy BioMar AB stands for hands on service with fast deliveries of high-end fish feeds.
Fish meal is widely regarded as one of the most efficient and complete protein sources available for aquafeeds. It provides farmed fish with a rich supply of essential amino acids, high-quality proteins, vitamins and minerals, all of which are critical for rapid growth, metabolic health, and immune system function. For many species, particularly in early life stages, fish meal remains an irreplaceable component of nutritionally balanced feed due to its digestibility and nutrient density.
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Hos BioMar forstår vi, at rejsen til enestående fisk og rejer begynder længe før, den når bordet, og den starter med det foder, der giver næring til fisk og rejer.
Nijvis serves as an example of how companies in niche industries, such as eel farming, can integrate sustainable practices while achieving business success. They are setting a new standard in the aquaculture industry, as they continue to expand and lead by example.
In fish farming, large fluctuations in the oxygen content of water have a negative impact on the well-being of the fish and consequently on its growth. High water temperatures or rich vegetation in the water are important alarming factors to observe, especially in summer periods.
As the global demand for sustainable aquaculture practices continues to rise, so does the need for alternatives to traditional fish meal and fish oil. One of the most promising innovations in this space is AlgaPrime, a revolutionary ingredient that provides a sustainable and nutritious source of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA.
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Just like humans, fish need certain levels oxygen to thrive. Sub-optimal oxygen levels may have consequences on the well-being of the fish and consequently on the economic outcome of a fish farm. Active observation and assessment are required to take the necessary actions in good time.
Slagteklare laks blev analyseret for at bestemme den spiselige del. Resultatet viste, at hele 74 procent af laksen bestod af rent fiskekød.
FLAG-emissioner (Forest, Land and Agriculture) vil være vigtige, når akvakulturindustrien skifter til produktion med lavere kulstofindhold. Disse udledninger, som nu spores under Science-Based Targets-initiativet (SBTi), stammer fra arealanvendelse og landbrugsaktiviteter snarere end fra energiforbrug.
Selecting the right feed is critical for achieving production goals on a fish farm. Conducting feed trials directly on the farm is the most effective way to identify the best option. BioMar helps guide this process.
At the BioMar factory in Denmark, we assist salmon and trout farmers with tailored solutions, backed by our technical expert team, BioFarm. These advisors are dedicated to sharing knowledge on pigmentation strategies, helping our partners achieve top-quality fish fillets.