N. Loren et al., Confocal laser scanning microscopy and image analysis of kinetically trapped phase-separated gelatin/maltodextrin gels, FOOD HYDROC, 13(2), 1999, pp. 185-198
The effect of phase separation on the gelatin/maltodextrin systems has been
studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy and image analysis. Stere
ological image analysis has been used to analyse the effect of different co
oling rates, holding limes, holding temperatures and gelatin types on the m
icrostructure at pH 5.3. The quantified microstructural parameters were the
volume-weighted mean volume, the interfacial area and the area fraction. A
factorial experimental design was used, with cooling rate (0.2 degrees C/m
in, 1 degrees C/min, 10 degrees C/min), holding time (0 min, 10 min, 20 min
), holding temperature (20 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C), and two
different gelatin types (LH, PS) as design parameters. Gelatin lime hide (L
H) has an isoelectric point of pH 4.7, and gelatin pig skin (PS), has an is
oelectric point of pH 9.1. The composition was kept constant at 4% gelatin
and 5% maltodextrin. The results showed that the phase-separated system was
gelatin continuous. The size of the maltodextrin inclusions decreases with
increasing cooling rate and was largest at the lowest cooling rate (0.2 de
grees C/min). Gelatin PS has larger maltodextrin inclusions and a smaller i
nterfacial area than gelatin LH. The size of the maltodextrin inclusions va
ried in diameter between 3 and 10 mu m for gelatin LH and between 3 and 18
mu m for gelatin PS. The size of the maltodextrin inclusions increases with
increasing holding time and was largest at 20 min. The interfacial area in
creases with increasing cooling rates and was largest at 10 degrees C/min.
A region was found where the phase separation and the gel formation compete
d with each other in connection with mobility. The residence time in that r
egion and how fast the sample proceeds through it, are important for the mo
rphology of the resulting microstructure. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. Al
l rights reserved.