Rheological Behaviour of Thixotropic Starch and Gelatin Gels

Thixotropic behaviour of starch, gelatin and mixed starch/gelatin gels was investigated by different rheological methods by means of the rotational viscosimeter with coaxial cylinders. Influence of different factors (gel composition, preparation temperature, gel age, homogenization and viscosimeter rotor acceleration) on the coefficients of thixotropy and parameters of the flow equation was considered. The recovery of destructed gels was followed by Doherty-Hurd method, but also a modified method was developed and applied for determination of some specificities in the rheological behaviour of starch and gelatin gels.     

Effect of polysaccharides with different ionic charge on the rheological,microstructural and textural properties of acid milk gels

The effects of addition of polysaccharides with different ionic charge on rheology, microstructure, texture and water holding capacity (WHC) of acid milk gels were studied and compared to that of gelatin addition. Similar to gelatin, starch (neutral) and xanthan gum (anionic) did not prevent milk gelation in the first 30 min of the acidification stage, even at high concentrations, and the typical casein network in acid milk gels could still be seen from electron micrographs; gelling and melting of these hydrocolloids were observed during the cooling and heating stages at specific concentrations. On the other hand, two neutral polysaccharides, guar gum (≥ 0.05%) and locust bean gum [LBG] (≥ 0.1%) inhibited milk gelation from the beginning of the acidification stage; the microstructure of the gel was modified greatly and no gelling/melting was observed during the cooling or heating stages. Another anionic polysaccharide, carrageenan, induced earlier milk gelation at low concentration (≤ 0.05%), but inhibited gelation entirely at high concentration (0.2%); inflections at ~ 27 °C and 21 °C were also observed during the cooling and heating stages at 0.05% concentration. The gel microstructure was not changed greatly, but showed smaller particle size at a carrageenan concentration of 0.05% than control sample. None of the polysaccharides showed as much improvement in WHC of the milk gels as gelatin did. Hence, xanthan and starch were found to be closer to gelatin in their effect on acid milk gels compared to guar gum, LBG and carrageenan.     

Study on retrogradation of maize starch–flaxseed gum mixture under various storage temperatures

This study aimed to investigate the effect of flaxseed gum (FG) on the retrogradation of maize starch (MS) gels under different storage temperatures. In this work, MS‐FG gels with 0–0.4% FG were stored under different temperatures (–20, 4 and 20 °C). Under all storage temperatures, the addition of FG inhibited the retrogradation process of MS, suppressed the recrystallisation of starch molecules, reduced the water loss of starch gels and improved the texture of the gels. Among the three storage temperatures, ?20 °C could almost stop the starch retrogradation but leading it results in the hardest gel texture. The retrogradation of MS‐FG gels stored under 4 °C was most serious with the fastest rate of recrystallisation. When stored at 20 °C, the gels had a retrogradation degree that was lower than when they were stored at 4 °C and also had the softest texture.     

Gelatinization Properties of Navy Bean Starch

Gelatinization properties of navy bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) starch under different combinations of concentration (6, 8, 10 and 12%) and cooking temperature (75, 85 and 95°C) were studied using a rotational viscometer. The torque response due to swelling and/or breakdown of starch granules approached equilibrium after either a gradual increase or a relatively rapid increase to a peak followed by a decline during cooking. For every condition, the difference between the final torque values obtained for the rapid and the slow heating processes was not significant. In general, the viscosity of the paste increased as the starch concentration and/or cooking temperature increased. However, cooking temperature of 75°C did not cause a significant gelatinization or swelling of starch granules in pastes of 6 or 8% concentration. Maximum final viscosity values were obtained at 85°C for all starch concentrations except for a maxium at 95°C for 6%. Thixotropic breakdown was observed at 10 and 12% concentrations during initial shearing at 85 and 95°C. The threshold concentration for singnificant viscosity effects in this study was in the range of about 8 to 10% or 95°C. The calculated activation energy (14.5 Kcal.g⁻¹ mole⁻¹) of navy bean starch gelatinization was similar to values reported for rough rice and rice starches.     

Morphology of starch in surimi gels

 The purpose of this work was to study the changes undergone by starch during heat-induced surimi gel preparation either with or without added egg white, and their effects on the structure of gels using light and scanning electron microscopy. Gels were made from SA-grade Alaska pollack (Theragra chalcogramma) surimi with: (1) salt (3%, w/w); (2) salt and waxy corn starch (3% and 5%, respectively w/w); or (3) salt, waxy corn starch and egg white (3%, 5% and 5%, respectively, w/w). Final moisture was adjusted to 73% or 83%. The gels were prepared by prior setting (40°C, 30 min, followed by 90°C, 30 min) or cooking (90°C, 30 min). The prepared gel was frozen and stored at –20°C (±1°C) until analysis. Samples were observed by light and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the starch granules alter according to the processing conditions, with the predominance of crystalline or amorphous morphology depending upon the availability of heat and water. Large cavities formed in the protein gel matrix during setting can trap water; as a result, water availability is limited for starch to swell and gelatinize even in the high-moisture gel. Received: 13 March 1997     

Influence of Gluten and Gum Additives and Cryogenic Treatment on Some Properties and Morphology of Wheat Starch Complex Gels

The influence of gums (guar and xanthan) and gluten additives on the physicochemical properties and structural features of wheat starch gels (8%, w/w) subjected to cryogenic treatment at various temperatures (−9°C, −20°C, −40°C) was studied. Shear modulus and breaking stress of the gels were measured, the gels' morphology was studied with optical microscopy and the local mobility of water in the gels was determined with ESR. The total concentration of polysaccharide additives did not exceed 1% (w/w), and a 65:35 (w/w) mixture of guar and xanthan gums proved to be the optimal additive, which caused a noticeable increase in rigidity and strength of the resulting complex gels. Shear modulus and breaking stress of the gels decreased with lowering the temperature of the cryogenic treatment. The heterogeneous morphology of thin sections of the gel samples was revealed via optical microscopy. ESR studies showed that the local mobility of water was much lower in the gels than in pure water.     

OSCILLATORY PROBE RHEOMETRY AS A TOOL FOR DETERMINING THE RHEOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF STARCH-WATER SYSTEMS 1

An oscillatory probe rheometer was effective at measuring the viscosity of starch pastes and the viscoelastic properties of starch gels. Because low shear strains were applied, the integrity of the gel was not disrupted during the testing. As the starch concentration of the systems increased, the complex modulus (G*) and storage modulus (G′) increased. At 20°C, the strength of the resulting gels, as measured by log G′, was a linear function of starch concentration. Loss tangent values (G″/G′) could be used to determine the approximate temperature at which the sol became a gel. As the starch concentration of the systems increased, the temperature of the sol to gel transformation increased from approximately 35°C (5% starch) to 60°C (10% starch).     

Evaluation of tilapia skin gelatin as a mammalian gelatin replacer in acid milk gels and low-fat stirred yogurt

Tilapia skin gelatin (TSG) was studied in a 3-stage process (cooling, annealing, and heating) for pure gelatin gels and in a 4-stage process (acidification, cooling, annealing, and heating) for acid milk gels and cultured yogurt. The aim was to evaluate the use of TSG as a replacement for mammalian gelatin in yogurt. In pure TSG gels, stronger gels with higher melting temperatures were formed with increasing TSG concentrations. Compared with bovine gelatin (BG), which gelled at a concentration of 2.5%, TSG gels had lower gelling (14.1°C) and melting (24°C) temperatures but comparable storage moduli during annealing. In acid milk gels, addition of TSG increased the firmness of the gels with increasing concentration. Gelling and melting points of TSG in milk gels were observed at sufficient concentrations during cooling and heating. Strands and sheets were observed in the electron micrographs of milk gels with 1% TSG and a very dense structure was observed with 2.5% TSG. Yogurt with 0.4% TSG had similar viscosity, consistency, pseudoplasticity, and thixotropy as yogurt containing 0.4% BG; no difference was perceived by sensory panelists according to a triangle test. Addition of 0.4% TSG completely prevented whey separation from the acid milk gel and yogurt. The results suggest that TSG could be a suitable replacement for mammalian gelatin in low-fat stirred yogurt.     

Enhancement of Resistant Starch (RS3) in Amylomaize,Barley, Field Pea and Lentil Starches

Native starches isolated from amylomaize. Glacier high amylose barley, field peas and lentils contained 3–5% (w/w) resistant starch (RS3). Retrograded gels that were prepared from these starches had higher RS3 (6–9%) contents. The effects of gel concentration (% starch), storage temperature and time on the RS3 content of the retrograded gels were investigated; the optimum RS3 content was determined in gels prepared at = 10% (w/v) starch concentration and stored under = 20°C for = 5 days. Annealing of the retrograded starch gels by heating and cooling cycles, further enhanced RS3 content to 9–19%; the effect of annealing temperature and number of heat-cool cycles on the RS3 content of the annealed gel were studied. The hydrolysis of retrograded starch gels by pulanase enzyme or acid (2.2 N HCl), prior to annealing, enhanced the RS3 formation during annealing; the enzyme or acid treatment increased RS3 content of the annealed gel to 15–24% or 17–24%, respectively. The potential molecular mechanism that is responsible for the RS3 increase is discussed.     

Effects of Fatty Acid Addition on the Physicochemical Properties of Corn Starch

The effect of addition of six fatty acids (stearic, palmitic, myristic, oleic, palmitoleic, and myristoleic acid) on the gelatinization, glass transition, and retrogradation properties of corn starch as well as their complexing abilities with amylose were determined. Differential scanning calorimeter studies reflected that addition of fatty acids caused a 73–89% decrease in the gelatinization enthalpy compared to that of the native starch. Besides amylose-lipid formation, exotherm was determined at the same temperature range with the gelatinization endotherm. As a result, it was suggested that fatty acids complexed with amylose during gelatinization. Fatty acid addition significantly increased the glass transition temperature of starch gel. This was attributed to two reasons: the first is due to the physical cross-linking action of amylose–lipid complexes in starch-water system; the second may be due to the effect of uncomplexed fatty acids on water distribution in the gel structure as a result of their amphiphilic character. Thermal properties of amylose-lipid complexes were compared in order to determine the effect of fatty acid properties. It was found that the shorter chain length and unsaturation favored the complex formation but the complexes formed by longer and saturated fatty acids were more heat stable. Addition of fatty acids resulted in 73–90% and 47–71% reduction in the retrogradation enthalpy compared to native starch gels at 5°C and 21°C, respectively. The reduction in the retrogradation enthalpy was inversely related to the amylose-lipid complexing abilities of the fatty acids and it might be explained by the hindrance effect of uncomplexed fatty acids to the water distribution in the starch gel matrix.     

Thermal and rheological properties of hydrogels prepared with retrograded waxy rice starch powders

Waxy rice starch dispersed in water (50% solids) was gelatinized by heating the dispersion at 121°C for 20 min, and retrograded by storing the paste at 4°C for 2 days. The starch gel was then freeze-dried and ground into powders. The retrograded starch powders were hydrated at 20–30% solid concentration at different temperatures (4 and 23°C), and then thermal and rheological properties were analyzed using the hydrogels. The gel hydrated at 4°C had an onset temperature of melting at 34.9°C, which was approximately 10°C lower than that observed for the gel hydrated at 23°C. The enthalpy value was greater for the gel hydrated at 4°C (14.2 J/g) than the gel hydrated at 23°C (8.8 J/g). The yield stress and consistency of the hydrogels were proportional to the solid concentration. The hydrogel prepared with 30% retrograded starch powders at 4°C displayed a thick creamy texture with retrograded starch crystals that could melt at a temperature range of 35–51°C. The thermal and rheological properties of the hydrogels exhibited the possibility for the retrograded starch powders to be used as fat mimetic in foods.     

Strength of Protein Gels Prepared with Microbial Transglutaminase as Related to Reaction Conditions

Influence of gelling reaction conditions on the strength of several protein gels prepared with microbial transglutaminase (TGase) was investigated. A method was developed to gel proteins and measure gel breaking strength in a micro well plate. Enzyme concentration range for maximum gel breaking strength varied from 10 to 40 units/g protein. Maxima gel breaking strengths were achieved at 50°C for SPI, caseinate and gelatin and 65°C for egg yolk and egg white proteins. Optimum pH resulting in strong gels was pH 9 for SPI, caseinate, and egg yolk, and pH 6 for gelatin and egg white. Adjusting pH was promoted in egg white the formation of ?-(γ-glutamyl)lysine crosslinks and increased its gel breaking strength.     

Rheological Properties of Mixed Gels using Waxy and Non‐waxy Wheat Starch

Mixed starches with an amylose content of 5, 10, 18, 20, 23, and 25% were prepared by blending starches isolated from waxy and non‐waxy wheat at different ratios. The dynamic viscoelasticity of mixed 30% and 40% starch gels was measured using a rheometer with parallel plate geometry. The change in storage shear modulus (G′) over time at 5 °C was measured, and the rate constant of G′ development was estimated. As the proportion of waxy starch in the mixture increased, starch gels showed lower G′ and higher frequency dependence during 48 h storage at 5 °C. Since the amylopectin of waxy starch granules was solubilized more easily in hot water than that of non‐waxy starch granules, mixed starch containing more waxy starch was more highly solubilized and formed weaker gels. G′ of 30% and 40% starch gels increased steadily during 48 h. 30% starch gel of waxy, non‐waxy and mixed starches showed a slow increase in G′. For 40% starch gels, mixed starch containing more waxy starch showed rapidly developed G′ and had a higher rate constant of starch retrogradation. Waxy starch greatly influenced the rheological properties of mixed starch gels and its proportion in the mixture played a major role in starch gel properties.     

Effects of pressure-shift freezing and conventional freezing on model food gels

Summary Gels of agar, starch, ovalbumin, gelatin and an industrial β-lactoglobulin protein isolate, were frozen conventionally in a −30 °C freezer and by pressure-shift freezing at 200 MPa at −15 °C. Thawing was carried out conventionally at 20 °C and by the application of a pressure of 200 MPa. The microscopic structure and mechanical properties of the thawed gels were compared with those of the initial gels. Microscopic examination showed that pressure-shift freezing produces smaller and more uniform ice crystal damage than conventional freezing at −30 °C. The results also suggest that the freeze-thaw behaviour of food gels can be categorized into two general types: (1) gels which have a reduced gel strength as a result of mechanical damage to the gel microstructure caused by ice crystal formation, and (2) gels which have an enhanced gel strength, as a result of molecular structural changes that take place in the frozen state. Agar and gelatin were found to be typical of type (1) gels, whereas starch, β-lactoglobulin protein isolate and ovalbumin were found to be typical of type (2) gels. In the case of starch, retrogradation during thawing was found to be the most important factor.     

Physical and Oxidative Stabilization of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Surimi Gels

ABSTRACT: The objective of the study was to compare the dispersion and oxidative stability of omega-3 fatty acid oil in high- and low-quality surimi gels during 4-mo refrigerated and frozen storage. Low-quality surimi was prepared by subjecting Alaska pollock surimi to 7 freeze–thaw cycles. Surimi gels were prepared with 4% modified starch, 2% salt, and 0.5% or 1% algal DHA or concentrated fish EPA-DHA oil, and stored at −18 or 3 °C for 4 mo after being vacuumed packed and pasteurized. The effect of surimi gel properties on oil dispersion was examined using light microscopy equipped with image process software. The extent of lipid oxidation was monitored by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), peroxide value (PV), and fatty acid methly esters (DHA and EPA). Very fine and uniform oil dispersion was observed in the high-quality surimi gel with the average droplet size of 12.37 μm² and dispersion of 1.73 × 10⁻³ droplets/μm² compared to 84.32 μm² and 0.57 × 10⁻³ droplets/μm² in the low-quality gel. Throughout the 4 mo storage, TBARS and PV of high-quality surimi gel were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of low-quality surimi gel. The decreases in omega-3 fatty acids in the high-quality surimi gels were lower than those in the low-quality surimi gels under both storage conditions. Results confirm that a highly cohesive gel matrix is required to have a fine dispersion and oxidative stability of omega-3 fatty acids in the surimi gel system. Practical Application: Uniform dispersion and oxidative stability of omega-3 fatty acid oil can be achieved in the highly cohesive surimi gel system without use of antioxidants. This suggests that surimi can be used as a protein-based carrier in developing high omega-3 fatty acids-containing seafood products.     

Effects of Gelatinization and Gel Storage Conditions on the Formation of Canna Resistant Starch

The effects of gelatinization and gel storage conditions on the formation of canna resistant starch (RS) were investigated. Starch slurries (10%, dwb) were autoclaved at 121?°C for 30, 60, and 120?min. The gels obtained were subsequently stored at different temperatures (4?°C, 30?°C, and 100?°C) and times (0, 1, 3, 5, and 7?days). Analyses of the RS content in gelatinized starch samples in comparison with that in granular starch showed that the RS fraction in granular starch was very high (97.3% w/w); however, nearly all of the RS was thermally unstable, as indicated by a great reduction in RS content (to 1.9% w/w) after cooking at 100?°C for 20?min. The RS contents in gelatinized starch samples were 12.0?C15.9% w/w, which were reduced to 7.9?C10.8% w/w after cooking. Storage of gels resulted in a significant increase in the amount of the thermally stable RS fraction, e.g., a thermally stable RS content of 16.8% w/w was found in the gel sample gelatinized for 120?min and stored at 4?°C for 3?days. This indicated that the ordered structures of the RS portion were tightened under the storage conditions. The gelatinization temperature of canna starch was 72.2?°C, whereas the RS products exhibited two melting temperature ranges, 51.1?C76.3?°C and 163.1?C165.1?°C, indicating that the newly formed crystals were very strong.     

Gel texture and chain structure of amylomaltase-modified starches compared to gelatin

Amylomaltase (AM) (4-α-d-glucanotransferase; E.C. 2.4.1.25) from Thermus thermophilus was used to modify starches from various botanical sources including potato, high amylose potato (HAP), maize, waxy maize, wheat and pea, as well as a chemical oxidized potato starch (Gelamyl 120). Amylopectin chain length distribution, textural properties of gels and molecular weight of 51 enzyme and 7 non-enzyme-modified starches (parent samples) were analyzed. Textural data were compared with the textural properties of gelatin gels. Modifying starch with AM caused broadening of the amylopectin chain length distribution, creating a unimodal distribution. The increase in longer chains was supposedly a combined effect of amylose to amylopectin chain transfer and transfer of cluster units within the amylopectin molecules.Exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) data analysis revealed that the data were composed of two components explaining 94.2% of the total variation. Parent starches formed a cluster separated from that of the AM-modified starches.Extended AM treatments reduced the apparent molecular weight and the gel texture without changing the amylopectin chain length distribution. However, the gel texture was typically increased as compared to the parent starch. AM-modified HAP gels were about twice as hard as gelatin gels at identical concentration, whereas gels of pea starch were comparable to gelatin gels. Modifying Gelamyl 120 and waxy maize with AM did not change the textural properties. Branching enzyme (BE) (1,4-α-d-glucan branching enzyme; EC 2.4.1.18) from Rhodothermus obamensis was used in just one modification and in combination with AM. The combined AM/BE modification of pea starch resulted in starches with shorter amylopectin chains and pastes unable to form gel network even at concentration as high as 12.0% (w/w). The PCA model of all gel texture data gave suggestive evidence for starch structural features being important for generating a gelatin-like texture.     

Physicochemical and Rheological Properties of White-Cheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) Skin Gelatin

Physicochemical and rheological properties of white-cheek shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) skin gelatin were determined as a function of either an alkaline-acid or an acid pretreatment. With alkaline-acid pretreatment, the purity of white-cheek shark skin gelatin was increased, with a significantly lower extraction yield, a higher retention of high molecular weight components, and greater preservation of the triple helical structure. Moreover, gelatin from alkaline-acid treated skins showed denser spherical structure, significantly (p < 0.05) different textural properties, better thermostability (T_g = 21°C, T_m = 27.5°C), higher values of both G′ and G″, higher gel strength (330 g), more imino acids (20.3%), and lighter colored gels compared with acid treated white-cheek shark skin gelatin.     

Comparative study on characteristics of gelatin from the skins of brownbanded bamboo shark and blacktip shark as affected by extraction conditions

Gelatins from the skins of brownbanded bamboo shark (BBS; Chiloscyllium punctatum) and blacktip shark (BTS; Carcharhinus limbatus) were extracted using the distilled water at different temperatures (45, 60 and 75 °C) and times (6 and 12 h). Yields of gelatin from the skins of BBS and BTS were 19.06–22.81% and 21.17–24.76% (based on wet weight), respectively. Gelatins from both species extracted at 45 °C for 6 h exhibited the highest bloom strength (206–214 g), which was higher than that of commercial bovine bone gelatin (197 g) (p < 0.05). Gelatin gels from BBS skin could set at room temperature (25–26 °C) within 24 min. However, gelatin gels from BTS skin was not able to set within 3 h at the same temperature. Scanning electron microscopic study showed that gelatin gel from BBS skin presented the thicker strand than those from BTS skin and bovine bone. Cross-linked components (β- and γ-chains) and α-chains were more degraded with increasing extraction temperatures, especially at 75 °C. Gelatin from BTS skin was more susceptible to hydrolysis than that from BBS skin. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study revealed that the major absorption bands of gelatin from the skins of both sharks shifted to a higher wavenumber, compared with their corresponding acid soluble collagen (ASC). Therefore, gelatins from the skin of BBS has a potential to replace mammalian for gelatin, due to its similarity in bloom strength and setting behavior to the commercial bovine bone gelatin.     

Untersuchungen über die Retrogradation der Stärke in konzentrierten Weizenstärkegelen. Teil 1. Herstellung konzentrierter Gele,Einfluß der Stärkekonzentration und Herstellungsbedingungen auf die Retrogradation der Stärke

Investigations on the Retrogradation in Concentrated Wheat Starch Gels. Part 1. Preparation of Concentrated Gels, Influence of the Starch Concentration and Conditions of Preparation on the Starch Retrogradation . A method for the preparation of homogenous, concentrated wheat starch gels is described. The influence of the starch concentration and conditions of gel preparation has been investigated by determination of gel strength (Avrami-analysis) and solubilized starch. An increase in starch concentration from 40 to 55% caused a corresponding increase in gel strength of the fresh gels, an enhanced increase in gel strength during storage and a reduction of soluble starch. The time of heating during gel preparation had little influence on retrogradation. The influence of the temperature of heating (130° and 100°C) was dependent on the starch concentration: with 40 and 50% gels a strong increase in water soluble starch is observed with the higher temperature, whereas the gel strength is increased with the 50% gels only. The amylose content in the gel extracts shows that both starch fractions take place in retrogradation. The water binding capacity of the insoluble starch is decreased during storage demonstrating that the retrogradation also occurs in the insoluble starch and significantly contributes to the increase in gel strength. Retrogradation in concentrated starch gels therefore proceeds inside and on the surface of the swollen starch granules as well as in the solubilized starch leached out during the heating process.