SOLUBLE PARTS IN GELATIN WATER GELS

So-called soluble parts were extracted from gelatin/water gels by mean s of deswelling caused by application of a swelling pressure. The solu ble parts were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, analytical ultracentrifugation and amino acid analysis. The results are compared with literature data. The extracted gelatin h as a composition similar to the original gelatin. The extract has a mu ch lower molar mass than the soluble parts obtained by different extra ction procedures reported in the literature. This supports the conclus ion that there must be at least two types of soluble parts. Soluble pa rt of type 1 has molar masses up to 4000 g/mol, has composition simila r to the original gelatin and shows virtually no gelling abilities, al though an association of the molecules occurs. Soluble part of type 2 consists of a significant amount of alpha2(I) chains of type (I) colla gen or their fragments and probably has weak gelling abilities.