• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.954-957
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• 2007

Gelation mechanism of xanthan-carob mixture (X/C) was investigated based on thermorheological behavior. Three X/C ratios (1:3, 1:1, and 3:1) were studied. Small amplitude oscillatory shear tests were performed to measure linear viscoelastic behavior during gelation. Temperature sweep ($-1^{\circ}C/min$) experiments were conducted. Using a non-isothermal kinetic model, activation energy (Ea) during gelation was calculated. At 1% total concentration, the Ea for xanthan fraction (${\phi}_x$)=0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 were 178, 159, and 123 kJ/mol, respectively. However, a discontinuity was observed in the activation energy plots. Based on this, two gelation mechanisms were presumed-association of xanthan and carob molecules and aggregation of polymer strands. The association process is the primary mechanism to form 3-D networks in the initial stage of gelation and the aggregation of polymer strands played a major role in the later stage.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1069-1071
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• 2007

The frequency independent critical concentration (Cc) of xanthan and carob (X/C) mixed gel was determined based on the Winter-Chambon's theory. X/C mixed (X/C=1:1 ratio) gels were prepared from 0.1 to 1% of concentration. The linear viscoelastic properties, i.e., storage and loss modulus, of X/C mixed gel at $20^{\circ}C$ were measured by frequency sweep tests. The frequency independence of tangent function of phase angle (tan ${\delta}$) of X/C mixed gels was graphically determined from the intersection of the plot of phase angle against concentration at varied frequencies. The intersection (C=0.43%) was considered to be Cc of X/C mixed gel.