Carrageenan - Viscosity and gelation

12 important questions on Carrageenan - Viscosity and gelation

Which 2 properties of carrageenan determine its functionality as food ingredient?

Solubility and gelling ability

Which carrageenans can be used for gelation?

Kappa- and iota-carrageenan can be used for gelation. Lambda-carrageenan cannot form a gel, because it does not have an anhydrogalactosyl residue anymore.

Why is the presence of an anhydrogalactosyl residue important for gelling?

Its C4 chair conformation alternates with C1 chair conformation of the galactosyl residues, this makes the molecule able to form a helical structure, important for gelling.
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What is the conformation of carrageenan molecules in heated solutions?

Random coil

How does kappa-carrageenan form a gel?

General: When heated, the carrageenan molecules form random coils. When the solution is cooled, the molecules form ordered domains in the form of double helices.

Kappa-carrageenan: When potassium (K+) ions are present, the ions neutralise the sulfate groups, reducing the electrostatic repulsion and the ordered domains can aggregate. Potassium is also able to stabilise the double helices, because it has a certain size of hydrated radius.

What kind of gel is formed from kappa-carrageenan with potassium?

A firm, brittle gel. That undergoes syneresis upon storage and is not able against freeze-thaw cycle.

I want an elastic gel of carrageenan, which molecules should interact?

Iota-carrageenan and calcium

I want an brittle gel of carrageenan, which molecules should interact?

Kappa-carrageenan with potassium

How does iota-carrageenan form a gel?

It forms a gel with calcium ions. The divalent calcium ions form bridges between the helices of iota-carrageenan. Results in an elastic, cohesive gel, that is stable against freeze-thaw cycles and syneresis.

How can carrageenan interact with proteins?

  1. Low pH --> (-)carrageenan interacts with (+) amino acids in the protein chain.
  2. High pH --> (-)k-carrageenan and (-)protein, (+)calcium bridges.
    1. Self-gelation of carrageenan helices
    2. Interaction between carrageenan and casein micelles
in presence of K+ and Ca2+

What concentration of k-carrageenan is needed to stabilise milk products?

Very low concentration (0.015-0.025%)

With which molecule does k-carrageenan show synergism, how and what does it result in?

Locust bean gum (LBG).
The chains of repeating helical structure of k-carrageenan + galactose-free mannan region of LBG. Lower levels of hydrocolloid needed, compared to individual systems.
Increase in gel strength, improved water binding capacity, gel texture form brittle to elastic, reduction in the degree of syneresis.

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