Phase equilibria and mechanical properties of gel-like water-gelatin-locust bean gum systems

The establishment of phase equilibrium in aqueous gelatin-locust bean gum ( LBG) systems in the process of cooling from 313 to 291 K in specific condit ions, passes ahead of the gelation process This allows the suggestion that macrostructure and mechanical properties of the system can be predicted on the basis of knowledge of its phase diagram, obtained for the liquid gelati n-LEG systems comprising gelatin molecular aggregates. Textural and rheolog ical analysis of gel-like gelatin-LEG systems demonstrate the effect of two factors determining their mechanical properties and acting opposite each o ther when the concentration of LEG in the system increases: concentration o f gelatin by LEG in the process of phase separation, and decrease in the de nsity of the gel network. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserve d.