Effect of Tomato Paste on Rheological Properties and Particle Size Distribution of Model Oil-in-Water Emulsions

The role of tomato paste in stabilizing model o/w salad dressing formulations pre-stabilized with xanthan and propylene glycol alginate was studied at levels of tomato paste ranging from 3 to 12% using creep measurements, steady shear measurements and particle size measurements. The addition of tomato paste shifted the particle size distribution to lower values; this distribution was a function of aging time. Creep and steady shear measurements showed an increase in rheological parameters and an increase in viscosity, respectively, suggesting that at higher or equal levels of 6% tomato paste the stability of the o/w emulsion was enhanced significantly.