Pectin–sucrose–Ca2+ interactions: effects on rheological properties

The effects of varying concentrations of pectin (4.5–6.5%, w/w), sucrose (40–60%, w/w) and calcium (20–60 mg/g pectin) on the viscoelastic properties of pectin dispersions at pH 3.0 were investigated. Pectin samples used were extracted from pomelo fruit peels (Citrus grandis) grown in Malaysia. The dynamic rheological parameters (G′, G″, δ and η*) of pectin–sucrose–calcium dispersion were determined at 1.5% strain from 90–20°C at a cooling rate of 3°C min⁻¹. Plots of G′ and G″ against frequency (rad s⁻¹) showed G″>G′ throughout the frequency range with no occurrence of crossover for most of the pectin dispersions. In addition both storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli of the dispersions increase on cooling. Increasing pectin, sucrose and calcium concentrations increased G′ and G″ with pectin having the greatest effect. Interactions amongst the three factors were also studied. At lower pectin concentrations, addition of Ca²⁺ increased G′ at all temperatures. This effect was also observed at higher pectin concentrations at 20°C but not at 90°C. The opposite effect was observed with the addition of sucrose, i.e. addition of sucrose at a higher pectin concentration increased G′ whereas at a lower pectin concentration no effect was observed. Interaction between calcium and sucrose gave rise to an increase in G′ when Ca²⁺ was added at high sucrose concentrations, but a decrease in G′ was evident at low sucrose concentrations. Dispersions of pectin alone or in combination with sucrose exhibited a more liquid-like behaviour with G″>G′. However, in the presence of Ca²⁺, mechanical spectra of G′>G″ were obtained.     

Viscoelastic Behavior of Melon Tissue as Influenced by Blanching and Osmotic Dehydration

ABSTRACT: Viscoelastic properties of melon tissue exposed to steam blanching and osmotic dehydration (atmospheric or under vacuum) in glucose aqueous solutions were analyzed in a dynamic rheometer using oscillatory shear and creep tests. The storage modulus (G') greatly exceeded the viscous modulus (G') for raw and treated melon tissues, but the elastic component was partially lost because of processing. Blanching caused less than a 1 -fold decrease in G', whereas osmotic dehydration resulted in approximately a 3-fold decrease in G'relative to the untreated melon. Both moduli showed a weak dependence on frequency, with greater slope of the G'frequency lines for treated samples. A mechanical model, consisting of a spring in series with 2 Voigt elements and a dashpot element, properly predicted the creep compliance response for all melon samples. In general, overall compliance significantly increased by the treatments. The instantaneous elastic compliance and the viscoelastic compliances were the most sensitive viscoelastic parameters for distinguishing the differences in cell wall structure among osmotically dehydrated sample at atmospheric pressure and the tissues exposed to the other osmotic treatments. In contrast, G'modulus did not show an ability to evidence these structural differences because there were no significant differences in the G'values of osmotically dehydrated tissues at atmospheric pressure or in vacuum, with or without calcium addition.     

VISCOELASTIC AND THERMAL CHARACTERISTICS OF VEGETABLE PUREE-BASED BABY FOODS

Viscoelastic properties of three commercial vegetable puree‐based baby foods (pea, corn and wax bean) were evaluated in the temperature range of 20 to 80C using dynamic oscillatory viscometry, and the thermal properties were evaluated using a standard differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) (?10 to 100C). Test samples behaved like viscoelastic fluids with consistently higher magnitudes of storage modulus (G′) as compared to loss modulus (G″) in an oscillatory frequency (ω) range between 0.628 and 62.800 rad/s. Both G′ and G″ versusωdata were well fitted by a power‐type relationship at all temperatures employed in the study. However, the derived power‐law parameters of G′ and G″ showed no consistent trends with temperature. Both pea and wax bean purees exhibited similar viscoelastic patterns with an increase in both G′ and G″ at 50C, somewhat coinciding with the initiation of starch gelatinization. However, the corn puree exhibited a stronger elastic characteristic with starch gelatinization occurring around 80C. The rheological measurements were well supported by the calorimetric data from the DSC.     

Osmotic dehydration of apple: Influence of sugar and water activity on tissue structure,rheological properties and water mobility

Osmotic dehydration of apple tissue (Malus pumila, Granny Smith cultivar) to water activity (a_w) 0.97 or 0.94 with maltose or maltose syrup solutions was studied and compared with previous results using glucose or trehalose as humectants. Structure (optical and transmission electronic microscopy observations), rheological properties (small scale dynamic oscillatory and creep/recovery measurements and large scale compression force-deformation testing), and water mobility (¹H NMR spectra) of parenchymatous apple tissue were significantly affected by osmotic treatments. Osmotically dehydrated apples became soft and extensible and lost crispness and hardness, while the behavior of the moduli G′ and G″ indicated weaker gels after osmosis. Compression properties of the tissues abruptly changed after osmotic dehydration to a_w 0.97, while reduction to a_w 0.94 led to a compression response more similar to that of untreated apples. Compression behavior and state and distribution of water in apple tissues were influenced by the osmotic agent employed and the a_w level, while in general mechanical spectra and creep analysis were not able for distinguishing physical differences between osmotic treatments assayed.     

Rheology of Rice Starch‐Sucrose Composites

The effect of sucrose at different concentrations (0, 10, 20 and 30%) on rheological properties of rice starch pastes (5% w/w) was investigated in steady and dynamic shear. The steady shear properties of rice starch‐sucrose composites were determined from rheological parameters for power law and Casson flow models. At 25°C all the starch‐sucrose composites exhibited a shear‐thinning flow behavior (n=0.25–0.44). The presence of sucrose resulted in the decrease in consistency index (K), apparent viscosity (η_a,100) and yield stress (σ_oc). Dynamic frequency sweeps at 25°C indicated that starch‐sucrose composites exhibited weak gel‐like behavior with storage moduli (G′) higher than loss moduli (G′′). G′ and G′′ values decreased with the increase in sucrose concentration. The dynamic (η*) and steady‐shear (η_a) viscosities at various sucrose concentrations did not follow the Cox‐Merz superposition rule. G′ values as a function of aging time (10 h) at 4°C showed a pseudoplateau region at long aging times. In general, the values of G′ and G′′ in rice starch‐sucrose composites were reduced in the presence of sucrose and depended on sucrose concentration.     

Viscoelastic properties of wheat gliadin and glutenin suspensions

Linear and non-linear rheological properties of wheat gliadin and glutenin suspensions were investigated at various concentrations. Linear dynamic viscoelastic properties for both gliadin and glutenin were strongly dependent on concentration. For gliadins, the storage moduli (G′), loss moduli (G″), and phase shifts dramatically changed within a narrow concentration range, indicating that gliadin suspension properties changed from viscous to viscoelastic. Glutenins exhibited viscoelastic solid behaviour at all measured concentrations. The non-linear shear viscoelastic properties of gliadin and glutenin also depended on concentration. Viscosities of gliadins displayed shear-thinning behaviour; viscosities for glutenins showed shear-thickening behaviour at low shear rates, and shear-thinning behaviour at higher shear rates. Our results indicate that gliadin’s structure in suspension changes over a small concentration range, and suggest that gliadin is important in adjusting and controlling gluten’s viscoelastic behaviour, and not only as a diluent of gluten’s functional properties.     

Dynamic rheological properties of rice flour‐starch blends

The dynamic rheological properties of blends of rice flour (RF) with six different commercial starches (sweet potato starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, waxy corn starch, hydroxypropylated potato starch, and hydroxypropylated tapioca starch) were evaluated. The magnitudes of storage modulus (G′) of all blend samples were higher than those of loss modulus (G′′) over most of the frequency range (0.63–62.8 rad · s⁻¹). In general, the dynamic moduli results of all blend samples showed that changes in G′ values were relatively greater than changes in G″ values after adding the starches when compared to RF. tan δ (ratio of G′′/G′) values (0.21–0.22) of the RF‐potato starch and RF‐hydroxypropylated potato starch blends were much lower than those (0.25–0.33) of other blends and RF, indicating that there is a more pronounced synergistic effect on the elastic properties of RF‐starch blend systems in the presence of potato starches.     

Comparison of the effect of sugars on the viscoelastic properties of sweet potato starch pastes

Viscoelastic properties of sweet potato starch (SPS) pastes (5% w/w) were studied in the presence of various sugars (sucrose, glucose, fructose, and xylose) at different concentrations (0, 10 and 20%) by small‐deformation oscillatory measurements. Dynamic frequency sweeps at 20 °C indicated that all SPS–sugar mixtures were more elastic than viscous with storage moduli (G′) higher than loss moduli (G′′) at all values of frequency with a frequency dependency. Dynamic moduli (G′ and G′′) values increased with the increase in sugar concentration from 10 to 20%. Changes in the dynamic moduli were more pronounced with xylose in comparison to the control (no sugar) and other sugars. G′ values as a function of ageing time (10 h) at 4 °C continuously increased with time during ageing without a plateau region. In general, G′ values of SPS–sugar mixtures during ageing decreased in the following order: pentose (xylose) > hexose (glucose and fructose) > control > disaccharide (sucrose), indicating that the xylose had the greatest ability in retarding retrogradation of SPS.     

Osmotic dehydration process for low temperature blanched pumpkin

This study investigated the influence of stepwise blanching over the kinetics of osmotic dehydration process and over the physical characteristics of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). The 2³ factorial design and response surface methodology was used to optimize the blanching process. The independent variables for blanching were temperature, blanching time and holding time. These independent variables showed different effects on the two studied answers: texture and color. The kinetics of osmotic dehydration were investigated using 50% and 65% sucrose solutions, using samples previously blanched by both stepwise and conventional means. The diffusivity values for the water and sucrose were similar for the two components, showing greater gains of solute than loss of water in many samples. Blanching affected the color of the pumpkin, whereas osmotic dehydration did not change it significantly. The impregnation process maintained or even increased the tissue firmness when compared to the blanched samples.     

Effect of high pressure homogenization (HPH) on the rheological properties of tomato juice: Viscoelastic properties and the Cox–Merz rule

High pressure homogenization (HPH) is a non-thermal technology which has been widely studied as a partial or total substitute for the thermal processing of food. Although microbial inactivation has been widely studied, there are only a few papers in the literature reporting on physicochemical changes in fruit products due to HPH, especially regarding their rheological properties. The present work evaluated the effect of HPH (up to 150 MPa) on the viscoelastic properties of tomato juice. HPH increased the tomato juice storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli. The parameters G′ and G″ were modelled as a power function of the oscillatory frequency (ω), and then evaluated as a function of homogenization pressure. It was observed that HPH processing improved tomato juice consistency more than it modified its nature/behaviour. The changes observed in the viscoelastic properties were attributed to disruption of the suspended particles during processing. Moreover, two modified Cox–Merz rules were used to correlate the products steady-state shear properties with viscoelasticity. The results obtained indicated that this process could be used to improve both product elastic and viscous behaviour, highlighting possible applications of the HPH process as a valuable tool to promote physical property changes in food products.     

Rheological properties of batter systems containing different combinations of flours and hydrocolloids

The rheological properties of batters formulated using different combinations of wheat, corn, and rice flours with two types of hydrocolloids, namely methylcellulose (0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) or xanthan gum (0.2%), were studied. Control samples were formulated with combinations of flours without the added hydrocolloids. The effects of hydrocolloids on rheological characteristics of the batter systems were measured using a controlled stress rheometer at a temperature of 15 °C. The effects of hydrocolloids on dynamic viscoelastic parameters as functions of temperatures were evaluated. All the batters showed shear thinning behaviour with flow behaviour indices in the range 0.34–0.67. Addition of xanthan gum lowered the flow index values, imparting a higher degree of pseudoplasticity to the batter samples compared to methylcellulose. The consistency index of the control batter samples varied from 0.46 to 69.2 Pa sⁿ. Addition of xanthan gum or methylcellulose significantly increased the batter consistency index value. The gums changed the onset temperature of structure development, and the storage (G′_max) and loss moduli (G″_max) of the batter systems. However, no statistically significant effects were observed on the peak temperature of batter systems in which the G′ reached a maximum value. Xanthan gum increased both G′_max and G″_max, whereas at higher concentrations methylcellulose increased G′_max but lowered G″_max. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

A Viscoelastic Model for Honeys Using the Time–Temperature Superposition Principle (TTSP)

The viscoelastic parameters storage modulus (G′) and loss modulus (G″) were measured at different temperatures (5 °C, 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 25 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C) using oscillatory thermal analysis in order to obtain a viscoelastic model for honey. The model (a 4th grade polynomial equation) ascertains the applicability of the time–temperature superposition principle (TTSP) to the dynamic viscoelastic properties. This model, with a regression coefficient higher than 0.99, is suitable for all honeys irrespective their botanical origin (monofloral, polyfloral, or honeydew). The activation energy (relaxation“ΔH _a” and retardation “ΔH _b”), and the relaxation modulus fit the model proposed. The relaxation modulus has a 4th grade polynomial equation evolution at all temperatures. The moisture content influences all the rheological parameters.     

Dynamic Rheology of Rice Starch‐Galactomannan Mixtures in the Aging Process

The effect of galactomananns (guar gum and locust bean gum) at different concentrations (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8%, w/w) on the dynamic rheological properties of aqueous rice starch dispersions (5%, w/w) was investigated by small‐deformation oscillatory measurements during aging. Magnitudes of storage (G′) and loss (G′′) moduli measured at 4°C before aging increased with the increase in gum concentration in the range of 0.2–0.8%. G′ and G′′ values of rice starch‐locust bean gum (LBG) mixtures, in general, were higher than those of rice starch‐guar gum mixtures. G′ values of rice starch‐guar gum mixtures as a function of aging time (10 h) at 4°C increased rapidly at initial stage and then reached a plateau region at long aging times. However, G′ values of rice starch‐LBG mixtures increased steadily without showing a plateau region. Increasing the guar gum concentration resulted in an increase in plateau values. The rate constant (K) for structure development during aging was described by first‐order kinetics. K values in rice starch‐guar gum mixtures increased with the increase in guar gum concentration. G′ values of rice starch‐galactomannan mixtures after aging were greater than those before aging.     

Effect of high-hydrostatic pressure and pH on the rheological properties of gum arabic

The effect on the viscoelastic behaviour, of pressure-treating hydrated gum arabic samples (800 MPa) at different pH values (2.8, 4.2 and 8.0) was investigated, using controlled stress rheometry. The treated samples were analysed for their complex (G∗), storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli as a function of frequency, using dynamic oscillatory testing. Significant changes in the rheological properties were observed in both the pressurised gum solutions and in those previously buffered at pH 2.8. The gum, at its natural pH (4.25) and at alkaline pH (8.0), was enhanced by pressure treatment, but only for the already “good” quality gum samples. High-pressure treatment had substantial effects on the frequency-dependence of the moduli of both the pressurised and the pressurised/pH-treated solutions, with the latter being more pronounced, suggesting differing structures or changes in the overall degree of interaction of the gum systems after pressure treatment.     

Viscoelastic behavior of reconstituted Aloe vera hydrogels as a function of concentration and temperature

Viscoelastic properties for reconstituted A. vera hydrogels were evaluated in different ranges of concentration (0.2–1.6%, w/v) and temperature (30–60°C). The storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli were well described by power function of the frequency (R² > 0.92). The combined effect of concentration and temperature was optimized for reconstituted gel formation, targeting maximum viscoelastic moduli (G₀′ and G′′₀) and minimum slope (n′ and n″) values using response surface methodology. The optimum condition selected was 1.6%, w/v at 30°C having higher gel strength [G′₀ (47.8 Pa.s^n′) and G″₀ (27.4 Pa.s^n′)], as well as minimum slope values [n′ (0.24) and n″ (0.08)]. Further, the effect of initial aging time on the viscoelastic moduli of optimized sample (1.6%, w/v at 30 ± 1°C) was noticed by fitting the intermediate creep ringing data to rheological models. The viscoelastic moduli (G′_J and G′_K) increased with aging time (0–180 min) for optimized A. vera hydrogel, as confirmed by Jeffrey’s and Kelvin-Voigt models. The obtained results suggested that optimized conditions for reconstituted A. vera gel formation could be useful to improve the gel strength which could be useful for various food applications.     

Influence of Alginate Concentration and Molecular Weight on Functional Properties of Mayonnaise

The rheological properties of mayonnaise containing alginates from Macrocystis pyrifera as stabilizers were studied using a controlled stress rheometer and a texture analyser penetrometer. Dynamic oscillatory tests of the emulsions were carried out in strain sweep and frequency sweep modes. The rheological parameters used for this study were the storage (G′), loss (G″) and complex (G*) moduli and the strain, which determined the limit of the linear viscoelastic region (γ_c). The effect of alginate concentration (0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 g/100 g) and molecular weight (MW: 76, 120 and 154 kDa) on physical properties was examined and the best combination useful to minimize differences between the alginate emulsion and mayonnaise with modified corn starch as commercial reference was identified (0.35 g/100 g and 108 kDa). The storage modulus increased with alginate content and it became independent of the molecular size above a critical value between 76 and 120 kDa. A positive effect of MW on γ_c was observed at 0.2 g/100 g alginate and the critical strain decreased with increasing polymer concentration up to 0.5 g/100 g. Results under small-amplitude oscillatory shear tests (linear viscoelastic properties) were interpreted in the context of the weak gel model. Two material parameters were determined to describe the rheological structure of the emulsion: the coordination number (z) and the parameter A (G* at 1 Hz). Mayonnaises with alginate concentrations of 0.5 and 0.8 g/100 g and at all the MW had coordination numbers which were not significantly different from those of the reference sample. The emulsion strength of alginate samples with polymer concentration of 0.5 and 0.8 g/100 g was significantly higher than the control.     

Colour and rheological properties of non-conventional grapefruit jams: Instrumental and sensory measurement

Alternative methods with which to obtain grapefruit jams have been applied. These include the use of osmotic dehydration (OD) and/or microwave energy (MW), as an alternative to conventional heating, and the incorporation of bamboo fibre together with pectin in order to increase the jam's consistency. Colour, consistency and rheological behaviour were measured and sensory evaluation was carried out to compare product quality. When compared to the fresh fruit, the greatest colour changes took place in those jams processed by MW and conventional heating, both of them showing lower L*, a*, b* and chrome values than the rest of the samples obtained by applying osmotic dehydration. By adding bamboo fibre, the colour of OD samples approaches that of fresh fruit. The higher yield stress, greater consistency and more viscoelastic behaviour was displayed by jams obtained by combining OD and MW processes. In the sensory analysis, the judges awarded this sample a better score. The sensory attribute product coverage in mouth was closely related to viscosity at a shear rate of 120 s⁻¹ and consistency.     

Rheological properties of stirred yoghurt as affected by gel pH on stirring,storage temperature and pH changes after stirring

The rheological properties of stirred yoghurt were studied as a function of the delay between milk heat-treatment and inoculation (0, 1 and 2 days), of pH in the acid gel on stirring (4.4, 4.7, and 5.0), of the storage temperature (4, 12, and 20 °C) for 24 h following stirring and of over-acidification (allowed or inhibited). At low pH values, the gels exhibited higher elastic modulus (G′) and fracture strength. They yielded stirred yoghurts with higher G′ and viscosity, and higher increase in G′ and viscosity during storage (“rebodying”). Rebodying was only partially explained by over-acidification and cooling. Changing the storage temperature had no impact on the evolution of G′ after stirring; hydrophobic interactions were therefore probably not involved in rebodying. Electrostatic interactions seemed to play a major role in rebodying, as pH on stirring was the significant factor.     

Effects of ultrasound power on the properties of non-salt chicken myofibrillar protein emulsions

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of different ultrasonic powers (0–600 W) on the storage stability, rheological properties and microstructure of non-salt chicken myofibrillar protein (MP) emulsions. The Turbiscan stability index (TSI) values, storage modulus (G′) values, loss modulus (G″) values, viscosity values and droplet size of the MP emulsions first increased and then decreased with an increase in ultrasonic power. The results of the creaming index and TSI values showed that ultrasonic treatment effectively improved the storage stability of the emulsions compared with non-ultrasonic treatment. Meanwhile, sonication decreased the oil droplet size and the contact angles accompanied by an increase in G′ and G″ values and the viscosity. The oil droplets became smaller and more uniform distribution observed through the different kinds of microscopic analysis. The physical stability of non-salt MP emulsions treated with different ultrasonic powers was significantly enhanced, and ultrasonic treatment with 450 W power had the optimal efficiency for the stability of the emulsions.     

Effect of Carob Flour Addition on the Rheological Properties of Gluten-Free Breads

In this study, the rheological properties of gluten-free doughs from rice flour containing different amounts of carob flour were investigated. Water added changed in response to the carob amount. Dynamic oscillatory and creep tests were performed in order to gain knowledge on the rheological behaviour of doughs, which is essential for the control of the bread-making procedure and the production of high-quality bread. Simple power law mathematical models were developed in order to evaluate the effect of carob and water added in dough rheological behaviour. Creep data evaluation demonstrates that an increase in water content decreased the resistance of dough to deformation and, therefore, dough strength, whereas carob flour increased the elastic character and structure strength of the dough. This was also found in dynamic oscillatory tests. Increased amounts of carob flour led to an increase in bread dough elastic character since fibre addition elastifies and strengthens the dough structure. Moreover, doughs exhibited a solid-like viscoelastic character, with the storage modulus (G′) predominant over the loss modulus (G″). Dough rheological properties have an important effect on baking characteristics. Rheological experiments and applied mathematical models can provide us with good knowledge of rheological behaviour and dough viscoelasticity prediction. Therefore, dough samples containing carob-to-water ratios of 10:110 and 15:130 can be considered to possess a balance between the viscous and elastic properties compared to the other samples.