Effect of Okra Cell Wall and Polysaccharide on Physical Properties and Stability of Ice Cream

Stabilizers are used in ice cream to increase mix viscosity, promote smooth texture, and improve frozen stability. In this study, the effects of varying concentrations (0.00%, 0.15%, 0.30%, and 0.45%) of okra cell wall (OKW) and its corresponding water‐soluble polysaccharide (OKP) on the physical characteristics of ice cream were determined. Ice cream mix viscosity was measured as well as overrun, meltdown, and consumer acceptability. Ice recrystallization was determined after ice cream was subjected to temperature cycling in the range of ?10 to ?20 °C for 10 cycles. Mix viscosity increased significantly as the concentrations of OKW and OKP increased. The addition of either OKW or OKP at 0.15% to 0.45% significantly improved the melting resistance of ice cream. OKW and OKP at 0.15% did not affect sensory perception score for flavor, texture, and overall liking of the ice cream. OKW and OKP (0.15%) reduced ice crystal growth to 107% and 87%, respectively, as compared to 132% for the control (0.00%). Thus, our results suggested the potential use of OKW and OKP at 0.15% as a stabilizer to control ice cream quality and retard ice recrystallization. OKP, however, at 0.15% exhibited greater effect on viscosity increase and on ice recrystallization inhibition than OKW.     

Enhancement of ferroelectric phase and dielectric properties of P(VDF-HFP) by NiCl2⋅6H2O nucleating agent

Abstract

This work focuses on an improvement of dielectric properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) or P(VDF-HFP) via mixing with different nickel(II) chloride hexahydrate (NiCl₂?6H₂O) contents (0–2?wt%). The nanocomposite films have been prepared by a conventional solution technique. The results reveal that the surface roughness increases with increasing salt content. The NiCl₂?6H₂O salt has no significant effect on the crystallinity of films. Additional incorporation of NiCl₂?6H₂O in the polymer leads to the growing conductivity. However, the considerable enhancement in dielectric constant with the relatively low dielectric loss tangent (0.1–0.3) can be found because of the formation of β-phase nucleation of NiCl₂?6H₂O in the P(VDF-HFP) matrix. The maximum value of calculated β-phase fraction of the nanocomposite is achieved 86% for salt content 0.5?wt%. Moreover, the largest dielectric constant (29.2 at 10?Hz) of the film doped 2?wt% NiCl₂?6H₂O is about 7 times greater than that of the pure P(VDF-HFP). The findings in this research suggest that the NiCl₂?6H₂O/P(VDF-HFP) nanocomposite is a candidate dielectric material for the next generation of energy conversion components.