INFLUENCE OF CA2-ION UPON VISCOELASTIC PROPERTIES OF GELLAN GUM AQUEOUS-SOLUTIONS()

Viscoelastic properties of gellan gum aqueous solutions [San-Eigen F. F. I. (Osaka), Lot No. 62058A] were observed in order to study the inf luence of Ca2+-ions upon the solution properties. The results were (i) the solution of Sample I (Ca2+ similar to 0.5%) showed narrowing of t he oscillating amplitude of the ball after similar to 10 cycles (this is known as negative thixotropy); (ii) abrupt decreases in viscosity w ere observed for the solution of Sample 2 (Ca2+ similar to 0.1%) in th e narrow temperature range of +/-0.5 degrees C; (iii) unstable behavio r of oscillating ball was found for the solution of Sample 3 (Ca2+ sim ilar to 0.00%), and this may be attributed to the inhomogeneity in the solution of the order of 10(-4) m, which was removed after stirring f or one week.