Tribo-rheological properties of acid milk gels with different types of gelatin: Effect of concentration

We investigated the effect of low concentrations (0.1 to 1%, wt/wt) of gelatin (types A and B) on the properties of acid milk gels in terms of rheology, tribology, texture, and water-holding capacity to better understand the role of gelatin in yogurt. The 2 types of gelatin showed similar effects on the properties of milk gels, with some minor differences, such as lubrication behavior at low concentrations. During acidification, gelatin at ≤0.4% caused an increase in the gel strength, and at higher concentrations it showed a negative effect. However, during cooling and annealing, we observed a positive effect on gel strength with 0.8 and 1% gelatin. Gelling and melting occurred at 0.8 and 1% concentrations of both types of gelatin. The addition of gelatin tended to decrease the storage modulus of milk gels and increase the apparent viscosity, pseudoplasticity, consistency, and yield stress. The firmness of the gels was decreased by gelatin at medium concentrations, but increased at high concentrations. Gelatin significantly enhanced the water-holding capacity of the gels; we observed no serum at concentrations ≥0.4%. With the addition of gelatin at concentrations ≥0.4%, the particle size of gels was greatly reduced, and their lubrication properties were significantly improved. This study showed that 0.4% was an effective concentration in acid milk gel; above this concentration, the properties of the milk gels were greatly changed. Tribology provided important information for understanding the role of gelatin in milk 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.     

Effect of addition of gelatin on microstructure of acidic milk gels and yoghurt and on their rheological properties

A study was made of the effect of the addition of gelatin on the microstructure of acid-heat-induced milk gels (90°C, pH=5.3) and yoghurt with and without the addition of 5% of milk solids, and a comparison was made with the microstructure of acidic milk gelatin gels obtained without heating (pH=5.3). It was seen that in the acid-heat-induced gels and in yoghurt the gelatin interacted with the network of milk proteins as a connection between the clusters formed, whereas it was the gelatin alone that was the basis of the formation of the gel when the milk did not reach the casein coagulation point (pH=5.3, unheated). The results of firmness tests indicated that the addition of 1.5% of gelatin developed fairly firm, deformable systems in all the cases studied, with a definite break point and almost total absence of syneresis. Dynamic rheology showed that the yoghurts with added gelatin exhibited more solid-like behaviour than the ones prepared without it.     

Addition of gelatin enhanced gelation of corn–milk yogurt

Corn–milk yogurt set by a combination of sodium caseinate plus gelatin at concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6% (w/v) were studied. The quality of the gels was determined by measurement of acidity, syneresis, texture profile analysis, viscoelasticity, structure scanning electron microscope and microbiology. Texture profile analysis (TPA) showed that increasing levels of gelatin increased hardness, adhesiveness and springiness as well as the acidity of the products. Viscoelastic behaviour displayed similar trends to the TPA characteristics, the storage modulus was less frequency dependent than the loss modulus giving a loss tangent of 0.2 in the high gelatin systems, which might indicate a true gel system. The microstructure was dense and spongy-like with small air cells, in particular, those having a high concentration of gelatin (0.6%, w/v) gave a very firm structure which might impair palatability. The addition of a commercial gelatin at 0.4% (w/v) gave good acceptability for the product (little syneresis of the gels produced). While the gelatin used for this study had a bloom value of 246 g the authors acknowledge that a different commercial gelatin may well result in a different concentration being required.     

Characterization of gelation time and texture of gelatin and gelatin–polysaccharide mixed gels

The effects of cooling rate, holding temperature, pH and polysaccharide concentration on gelation characteristics of gelatin and gelatin–polysaccharide mixtures were investigated using a mechanical rheometer which monitored the evolution of G′ and G″. At low holding temperatures of 0 and 4 °C, elastic gelatin gels were formed whereas a higher holding temperature of 10 °C produced less elastic gels. At slow cooling rates of 1 and 2 °C/min, gelling was observed during the cooling phase in which the temperature was decreased from room temperature to the holding temperature. On the other hand, at higher cooling rates of 4 and 8 °C/min, no gelation was observed during the cooling phase. Good gelling behavior similar to that of commercial Strawberry Jell-O^® Gelatin Dessert was observed for mixtures of 1.5 and 15 g sucrose in 100 ml 0.01 M citrate buffer containing 0.0029–0.0066 g low-acyl gellan. Also, these mixed gels were stronger than Strawberry Jell-O^® Gelatin Desserts as evidenced by higher G′ and gel strength values. At a very low gellan content of 0.0029 g, increasing pH from 4.2 to 4.4 led to a decrease in the temperature at the onset of gelation, G′ at the end of cooling, holding and melting as well as an increase in gel strength. The gelation time was found to decrease to about 40 min for gelatin/sucrose dispersions in the presence of 0.0029 g gellan at pH 4.2 whereas the corresponding time at pH 4.4 was higher (79 min). In general, the gelation time of gelatin/sucrose dispersions decreased by a factor of 2 to 3 in the presence of low-acyl gellan. The addition of low-acyl gellan resulted in an increase in the gelation rate constant from 157.4 to 291 Pa. There was an optimum low-acyl gellan content for minimum gelation time, this optimum being pH dependent. Addition of guar gum also led to a decrease in gelation time to 73 min with a corresponding increase in the gelation rate constant to 211 Pa/min though these values were not sensitive to guar gum content in the range of 0.008–0.05 g. The melting temperature of gelatin/sucrose/gellan as well as gelatin/sucrose/guar mixtures did not differ significantly from that of pure gelatin or Strawberry Jell-O^® Gelatin Desserts. At pH 4.2, the melting rate constant was highest at a low-acyl gellan content of 0.0029 g whereas the rate constant was insensitive to low-acyl gellan content at pH 4.4. Addition of guar did not seem to affect the melting temperature or the melting rate constant.     

Characterizations of fish gelatin films added with gellan and κ-carrageenan

Fish gelatin is known to be inferior to mammalian gelatins. Gellan and κ-carrageenan were added to improve properties of the fish gelatin films. Initially, polysaccharides were added to make fish gelatin gels, and tested for the melting point. Mechanical, barrier, color and microstructure properties, as well as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and thermal analysis (DSC) of the modified fish gelatin films were evaluated. The addition of gellan and κ-carrageenan increased the melting point of fish gelatin gels, gellan being more effective. Polysaccharides modified fish gelatin films by increasing tensile strength and barrier against water vapor, but made films slightly darker. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microstructure analysis revealed that gellan eliminated cracks present in the film matrix resulting in a more uniform structure. FTIR and DSC analyses showed that both polysaccharides effectively interacted with fish gelatin, and moreover, gellan being more effective. Overall, addition of gellan up to 2 g/100 g of gelatin performed better in enhancing fish gelatin films properties.     

Physical, mechanical, and barrier properties of carp and mammalian skin gelatin films

Films of 0.11 to 0.13 mm thickness were prepared using gelatins from the skins of cultured freshwater carp species and mammalian gelatins viz., porcine and bovine skin gelatin. A comparative study was made on the physical, mechanical, and barrier properties of these films. The amino acid composition, gel strength, clarity, and gel setting point of the gelatins were also determined. Carp skin gelatins had a lower imino acid content (19.16% to 20.86%) than mammalian skin gelatins (22.91% to 23.7%). Grass carp gelatin had gel strength of 230.2 B that is comparable to the reported value for bovine skin gelatin (227.2 B). The bloom values of rohu and common carp skin gelatins were 188.6 B and 181.3 B, respectively, which were significantly lower than mammalian gelatins. Mammalian gels have significantly higher (P < 0.05) setting temperatures (23.7 to 24.2 °C) than carp skin gelatins. Tensile strength (TS) was lowest for films from common carp and rohu skin gelatin (490 and 497 kg/cm(2), respectively) and highest for porcine skin gelatin film. The degree of transparency (L*) was significantly higher for films from grass carp, bovine hide, and pork skin gelatin films. Carp skin gelatin films had significantly lower water vapor permeability (WVP) and oxygen permeability (OP) than mammalian skin gelatin films, which indicated that carp skin gelatin based films have superior barrier properties than mammalian skin gelatin films.     

Rheological and sensory properties of fish gelatin gels as influenced by agar from Gracilaria tenuistipitata

Agar extracted from Gracilaria tenuistipitata and commercial agars were incorporated into fish gelatin at various levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% gelatin substitution). G. tenuistipitata agar (GA) had lower failure stress (~16 kPa) than commercial agar (CA) (~20 kPa). However, the former showed higher failure strain (~30%) with lower melting temperature (65.9 °C). The critical linear stress and failure stress of agar/gelatin mixed gels increased with increasing agar levels (P < 0.05). At 15 and 20% of agar used, the mixed gels containing CA exhibited higher failure stress than those with added GA (P < 0.05). Two melting points of agar/gelatin mixed gels were observed, corresponding to the melting temperatures of gelatin and agar gels. Nevertheless, the incorporation of agar lowered the likeness score of gelatin gel. Thus, both GA and CA had the impact on rheological property and the selected sensory characteristics of fish gelatin, depending on the level of substitution.     

Effects of Concentration,Bloom Degree,and pH on Gelatin Melting and Gelling Temperatures Using Small Amplitude Oscillatory Rheology

Concentration, gel strength (Bloom), and pH effects on both melting and gelling temperatures of gelatin were studied using small amplitude oscillatory rheology. Temperature sweeps were applied to gelatin gel samples for heating and cooling at fixed frequencies. Results showed that melting temperatures were higher than gelling temperatures, and both increased with increasing concentration at pH from 3 to 6 for all gel strength. For constant gelatin concentration and pH, as gel strength increased, melting temperatures decreased, whereas gelling temperatures increased. A mathematical model was obtained which correlates melting and gelling temperatures, respectively, with pH and concentration at fixed Bloom degrees. All gelatin gels showed storage modulus higher (2 to 10 kPa) than loss modulus (50 to 500 Pa).     

肉冻粉的研究

分别以肉冻粉、琼脂、明胶为材料,加热溶解、冷却凝胶成胶冻。进行黏度、凝胶强度、凝胶水析率、凝胶黏着力、凝胶凝固点及熔点测定等试验,以对比几种凝胶的性能。结果表明,以肉冻粉生产的凝胶比琼脂、明胶生产的凝胶有着更为优良的性能。     

Impact of divalent salts and bovine gelatin on gel properties of phosphorylated gelatin from the skin of unicorn leatherjacket

The impact of zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂) as well as bovine gelatin (BG) on the gel strength of phosphorylated fish gelatin (PFG) from the skin of unicorn leatherjacket was investigated. The gel strength of PFG increased with increasing concentrations of ZnCl₂ and CaCl₂ (2.5–40 μmol L⁻¹). A higher gel strength was observed with CaCl₂, compared with ZnCl₂. The gel strength of PFG with 20 μmol L⁻¹ CaCl₂ increased by 15.7%, compared to the control gel. Nevertheless, at higher concentration (40 μmol L⁻¹) of both salts, gel strength of PFG decreased. Hardness of gels decreased with increasing PFG content (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, no differences in hardness were found amongst gels with BG/PFG ratios of 4:0 and 3:1 (P ≥ 0.05). Thus, PFG could be used in combination with CaCl₂ to substitute for BG at a level of 25%.     

Mixed gels of gelatin and whey proteins, formed by combining temperature and high pressure

Mixed and pure gels of gelatin and whey protein concentrate (WPC) were formed by using temperature and high pressure simultaneously. Combining these gel formation methods enables the two polymer networks to set at the same time. The microstructure of the gels was studied by means of light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the rheological properties by means of dynamic oscillatory measurements and tensile tests. The pH values investigated were 5.4, 6.8 and 7.5. The isoelectric point of the WPC is around pH 5.2 and that of gelatin between pH 7.5 and 9. At pH 5.4, the mixed gel formed a phase-separated system, with a gelatin continuous network and spherical inclusions of the WPC. The storage modulus (G) of the mixed gel was similar to that of a pure gelatin gel. At pH6.8, the mixed gel formed a phase-separated system, composed of an aggregated network and a phase with fine strands. The aggregated network proved to be made up of both gelatin and WPC, and the fine strands were formed of gelatin. The mixed gel at pH 6.8 showed a high G compared with the pure gels, which decreased significantly when the gelatin phase melted. At pH 7.5 the mixed gel was composed of one single aggregated network, in which gelatin and WPC were homogeneously distributed. It was impossible to distinguish the gelatin from the WPC in the mixed network. The mixed gel at pH 7.5 showed a significantly higher G than the pure gels. As the gelatin phase was melted out for the mixed gel, a large decrease in G was observed. The pure gelatin gels, formed by a temperature decrease under high pressure, proved to be pH-dependent, showing an increase in aggregation as the pH increased from 5.4 to 7.5. A fine-stranded, transparent gelatin gel was formed at pH 5.4, while an aggregated, opaque gel was formed at pH 7.5. The stress at fracture for the gelatin gels decreased as the aggregation, and consequently the pore size, increased.     

Characterization of fish gelatin from surimi processing wastes: Thermal analysis and effect of transglutaminase on gel properties

Fish gelatin extraction from wastes of fish Herring species (Tenualosa ilisha) was carried out by a series of pretreatment with 0.2 M Ca(OH)₂ followed by 0.1 M citric acid and final water extraction at 50 °C for 3 h. The resulting fish gelatin preparation was evaluated for its dynamic viscoelastic properties, gelling and melting temperatures and gel strength. The gelling and melting temperatures of gelatin samples (at 6.67%, w/v) were obtained from differential scanning calorimetry and rheological studies. The melting temperature of extracted fish gelatin (EFG) obtained ranged from 16.2 to 16.7 °C compared to that of commercial fish gelatin gel (CFG), from 23.7 to 25.6 °C and halal bovine gelatin (HBG), from 26.5 to 28.7 °C. On the other hand, gelling temperatures of EFG, CFG and HBG ranged from 5.1 to 5.2 °C, 11.9 to 17.46 °C, and 12.6 to 19.33 °C, respectively. EFG gave gels with a considerably lower G′ values than CFG and HBG. The bloom strength of EFG gels at 6.67% (w/v) was 69.03 g which was much lower than HBG (336.2 g) and CFG (435.9 g). Enzyme transglutaminase was added in the amounts of 0.5, 1.0, 3.0 and 5.0 mg/g gelatin to modify the gel properties of the extracted fish gelatin. The modified EFG gels obtained had higher gel strengths of 101.1 g and 90.56 g with added transglutaminase of 1.0 and 3.0 mg/g, respectively. However with addition of 5.0 mg/g enzyme the gel strength increased only up to 75.06 g. SDS-PAGE of extracted gelatin gel showed protein band intensities for α1-chains and 53 kDa but in gels added with higher concentration of transglutaminase, these protein band intensities seemed to disappear.     

Physicochemical properties of gelatin gels from walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) skin cross-linked by gallic acid and rutin

Gelatin gels were cross-linked by gallic acid and rutin. The gel strength, viscoelastic properties, thermal stability, swelling property, ultrastructure, X-ray diffraction patterns and FTIR spectra were determined to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the modified gels. The gel strength increased with increasing gallic acid concentration up to 20 mg/g dry gelatin, and then decreased at further elevated gallic acid concentration, while it continuously increased with increasing levels of rutin. Either cross-linking agent could enhance the elastic modulus (G′) and the viscous modulus (G″) of hydrogels, but the gelling and melting points didn’t show a notable improvement. Rutin boosted the thermal stability of xerogels, but decreased the equilibrium swelling ratio significantly, while as for gallic acid, there were no obvious effects on the thermal stability and equilibrium swelling ratio of xerogels. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied to observe the ultrastructure changes of the modified xerogels suggesting that gelatin xerogel at rutin concentration of 8 mg/g dry gelatin showed the highest cross-linking density. X-ray diffraction revealed that both gallic acid and rutin could enter the spacing of polypeptide chains of gelatin to reinforce the intermolecular interaction. And FTIR spectra verified that gallic acid and rutin molecules mainly interacted with skeletal C–N–C group and carboxyl group of gelatin molecules in the formation of gels. The results suggested that rutin was a better cross-linking agent for gelatin, and gels treated with rutin could be found with different physicochemical properties.     

High pressure calorimetry at sub-zero temperature: evaluation of the latent heat and frozen water ratio of gelatin gels

An isothermal differential high-pressure calorimeter was specifically designed and described in this study. After calibration, the apparatus was validated by measuring the latent heat of ice melting. A good agreement was observed between the experimental results and literature data. The latent heat of gelatin gels at two different dry matter contents (2 and 10% w/w) was measured at sub-zero temperatures and high pressure. The main result showed that the latent heat values were influenced by both the melting temperature and the dry matter content. A decrease of the latent heat of melting of the gels with increasing melting pressure (decreasing of the melting temperature) probably indicated a modification in the ratio of frozenable water in these gels under pressure.     

Comparison of micellar casein isolate and nonfat dry milk for use in the production of high-protein cultured milk products

High protein levels in yogurt, as well as the presence of denatured whey proteins in the milk, lead to the development of firm gels that can make it difficult to formulate a fluid beverage. We wanted to prepare high-protein yogurts and explore the effects of using micellar casein isolate (MCI), which was significantly depleted in whey protein by microfiltration. Little is known about the use of whey protein-depleted milk protein powders for high-protein yogurt products. Microfiltration also depletes soluble ions, in addition to whey proteins, and so alterations to the ionic strength of rehydrated MCI dispersions were also explored, to understand their effects on a high-protein yogurt gel system. Yogurts were prepared at 8% protein (wt/wt) from MCI or nonfat dry milk (NDM). The NDM was dispersed in water, and MCI powders were dispersed in water (with either low levels of added lactose to allow fermentation to achieve the target pH, or a high level to match the lactose content of the NDM sample) or in ultrafiltered (UF) milk permeate to align its ionic strength with that of the NDM dispersion. Dispersions were then heated at 85°C for 30 min while stirring, cooled to 40°C in an ice bath, and fermented with yogurt cultures to a final pH of 4.3. The stiffness of set-style yogurt gels, as determined by the storage modulus, was lowest in whey protein-depleted milk (i.e., MCI) prepared with a high ionic strength (UF permeate). Confocal laser scanning microscopy and permeability measurements revealed no large differences in the gel microstructure of MCI samples prepared in various dispersants. Stirred yogurt made from MCI that was prepared with low ionic strength showed slow rates of elastic bond reformation after stirring, as well as slower increases in cluster particle size throughout the ambient storage period. Both the presence of denatured whey proteins and the ionic strength of milk dispersions significantly affected the properties of set and stirred-style yogurt gels. Results from this study showed that the ionic strength of the heated milk dispersion before fermentation had a large influence on the gelation pH and strength of acid milk gels, but only when prepared at high (8%) protein levels. Results also showed that depleting milk of whey proteins before fermentation led to the development of weak yogurt gels, which were slow to rebody and may be better suited for preparing cultured milk beverages where low viscosities are desirable.     

普洱茶风味酸乳制作工艺的研究

以生牛乳为原料,探讨了普洱茶风味酸乳的制备工艺。通过正交试验研究了普洱茶风味酸乳工艺配方及稳定剂的复配方案。结果表明:普洱茶风味酸乳最优配方为普洱茶0.8%、牛奶浓缩蛋白粉0.4%、白砂糖8.0%、红茶香精0.04%,该配方组合可获得口感良好,酸甜适口、风味优良的普洱茶风味酸乳。普洱茶风味酸乳最佳稳定剂组合为乙酰化双淀粉己二酸酯0.4%、明胶0.15%、琼脂0.1%。在该稳定体系条件下,能够提供产品饱满细腻的口感,并保障产品在货架期良好的感官品质。     

Quality and acceptability of a set-type yogurt made from camel milk

Camel milk (CM) set yogurts were formulated with gelatin, alginate (ALG), and calcium (Ca). Titratable acidity, pH, sensory properties, and acceptability of CM yogurts were studied. Twelve treatments were prepared; 3 using gelatin at 0.5, 0.75, and 1% levels and 9 with combinations of ALG and Ca at different levels. Titratable acidity and pH of fresh yogurt were not affected by the addition of gelatin or the ALG and Ca combinations. Trained sensory panel results showed that CM yogurt containing 1% gelatin or 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca had the highest intensities for firmness and body. Consumer results indicated that the hedonic ratings of the sensory attributes and acceptability of CM yogurt containing 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca were similar to that of cow's milk yogurt. The CM yogurts containing ALG + Ca and flavored with 4 different fruit concentrates (15%) had similar hedonic ratings and acceptability. Addition of 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca could be used to produce acceptable plain or flavored CM yogurt.     

Effects of starter culture and its exopolysaccharides on the gelation of glucono-δ-lactone-acidified bovine and caprine milk

The effects of the starter culture biomass material and its exopolysaccharides (EPS) on the structure of bovine and caprine acid gels were investigated. Inactivated cell material and/or extracellular polysaccharide, which had been separated from yogurt starter cultures, were added to both types of milk. The milk systems were acidified using glucono-δ-lactone (GDL) and the gelation processes were monitored using dynamic (oscillatory) rheological testing. The addition of cell material had no effect on the bovine acid gel, whereas the addition of polysaccharide produced a weaker gel structure. The addition of cell material (> 5 × 10⁸ cells/mL) and polysaccharide (0.35% w/v) weakened the caprine acid gel system. The treated gels were some three to eight times weaker than the untreated samples, suggesting that the starter culture metabolites and especially the EPS may act by interfering with the gel structures, particularly in the cases of milk systems such as caprine yogurt or low protein content bovine yogurt.