Native maize starches containing amylose are used for manufacturing ge
ls in food technology at concentrations of about 7%. Depending on the
pasting conditions chosen, several hours may be required for the final
consistency to be attained. For this reason the influence of hydrocol
loids was investigated with economic factors dictating an effective co
ncentration of approximately 5% in terms of the pure starch. The gelat
ion process was monitored quantitatively by means of rheomechanical os
cillation measurements in the linear viscoelastic range. The substance
s investigated were polysaccharides with chemically similar structures
and classified as safe under foodstuff regulations: guar gum, locust
bean gum, x-carrageenan, I-carrageenan, xanthan and carboxymethylcellu
lose (CMC). The gelation process can be significantly accelerated by a
range of hydrocolloids, with the effect decreasing as follows: CMC >
locust bean gum > guar gum > x-carrageenan > xanthan. The mixtures ach
ieved between 45% and 80% of the final gelation stability of pure star
ch of 100Pa. The gelation process is clearly retarded by the hydrocoll
oid I-carrageenan. With the aid of the theological data it is possible
to correlate the influence of the hydrocolloids on the process of sel
f-aggregation and also on the resulting viscoelastic properties of the
mixed gels with one another. In terms of a molecular interpretation i
t is possible to distinguish between exclusion effects and specific in
teractions in the functioning of the hydrocolloids.